AM I BEING SELFISH???

ukstudent · Dec 28, 2009

No answer, just questions for you. Do you have it in writting that you will have a job after graduating? I know several nurses that graduated from Georgetown and they are NOT working at Georgetown Hospital. Do you have a husband or partner to do the bulk of house care, child care. The accelerated BSN is very intense and you will not have much time for anything else.

MERRYWIDOW46 · Dec 28, 2009

MORE questions & food for thought: are you talking about the Washington Hospital Center scholarship program at Georgetown? That costs 70k, and my understanding is you work 2-3 years post graduation at WHC. THINK about why an employer is offering such a garuntee. Look at the web and the number of open positions at WHC.

What area are you relocating from? Is it a big city? Is your family used to that kind of stressful fast paced life? Going to high school is traumatic for some teens, how will your daughter feel leaving her friends?

Why nursing now? Is it possible to wait till AFTER your daughter graduates HS and is in college to persue your dream? What does your daughter want to do after high school? Will you be able to provide a college education for her if you persue this dream?????????? My dream was law school, however, my daughter needed a basic college education. Therefore, Mom was the adult and got a Master's in Public Administration in Health Policy and Administration. Didn't retret a moment.

Keep us posted. Seriously, check out the area. go to MEDSTAR/WHC website, look at the number of nursing positions posted. Realize the cost of living in DC is HIGH, HIGH, HIGH. Do alot of hard thinking. Then make the choice you feel is best.

grantchatt · Dec 29, 2009

yes...it is a contract you sign with the hospital..they pay 80% of the 70k tuition and you work 4 them 4 3yrs. If you leave bf 3yrs they have prorated amounts for the tuition reimbursement. Plus I am going to need a few yrs of experience before I can do the travel nursing. I do most of my clinicals at Washington so I will be familiar with the hospital and the staff.

And no I would not work..I do have a partner..thanks for the input

grantchatt · Dec 29, 2009

From what I have seen it seems like a good teaching hospital. We live between Chattanooga, Tn and Atlanta, Ga so I think that we would be able to adjust. I would not want to live in the city of DC. Once I started working owuld rather live on outskirts. Plus I would not have my family come up until I finished the program.

I just wanted to do it now bc I do not know how long they will be offering this program. And yes I will still be able to provide my daughter with a college education.

Thanks 4 the input

ukstudent · Dec 29, 2009

In your first message it seemed that you would be pulling your teenage daughter out of school, away from all her friends and into the Dc school system. Which is not exactly known as a good school system.

Your daughter staying home with a loving parent while you study is a whole other situation. I have a lot less reservations about it now. Sometimes it is good that children see that sacrifics have to be made, for dreams to come into reality. You can still drive home (I know several hours) if really needed. Be home for the school breaks.

I suggest talking to someone in HR at WHC to find out what areas will be open for new grads. At least that are right now. It can and has changed in the last few years. New grads used to be able to go into the ICU's until about 18 months ago. All new employees are hired for a rotating shift (3 weeks nights, 3 weeks days within a 6 week period). Go into this with open eyes.

grantchatt · Dec 29, 2009

yea i would pull her out after the program ended...which she would still be in high school???I am set on the local college 4 now but knowing that I could get that BSN in 16months is very tempting..I still have time to think it over!!!Thanks for you reply :)

JenJAM · Jan 25, 2010

I just graduated from Georgetown's 2nd degree accelerated program in December 2009. I did not do the WHC scholarship program because of the commitment to work there for 2-3 years following graduation, but I do have friends who did. I would definitely visit the hospital to make sure that this is a place you want to work for that long of a commitment before you decide. I have heard mixed reviews about this hospital, and some of my friends who were enrolled in the scholarship program have since backed out. If you back out, you have to pay WHC for whatever part of your commitment you did not honor. So... if you really want to be a travel nurse, it might have to wait until you complete the years at WHC necessary to honor your scholarship contract. Just something to consider. Otherwise, it's a great scholarship! You'd be getting a great education in a shorter amount of time without the steep financial burden.

I do not have children yet, so I cannot speak to how this will truly affect your daughter, but just keep in mind that this accelerated program is definitely a big commitment! It's great that you have a partner and I'm assuming you will not be attempting to work a part-time job while you would be in school, but just keep in mind that the "accelerated" part is great because you complete the program faster, but it also means that they are cramming more work into a shorter amount of time. It's absolutely doable and I'm glad I did it, but some of my classmates did drop out because it was more of a time and energy commitment than they could handle due to other things going on in their lives.

Let me know if I can provide anymore insight! And good luck!!

Gentle Giant · Apr 23, 2010

Hi JenJam,

Would you mind sharing some more insights into the program? I'm curious as to why some people decided not to stay for the scholarship. What are some of the reviews of the hospital? Thanks

JenJAM · Apr 28, 2010

I really don't think I know enough to tell you exactly why they backed out, but I do know that they had a hard time getting onto the specific units they wanted to work in. Some got lucky and got their first choice in the ER, but others who wanted to work in critical care wound up in step down units that weren't their top choice. Also, I think people just found other hospitals that were a better fit so they opted out of their commitment.

Sorry I can't be more help, but maybe someone with personal experience at WHC can respond and provide some insight!