did anyone recieve a hospital scholarship while in nursing school?

jessiern, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2008

I worked as a tech/work clerk the two years I was in school, but wasn't required to work while in school (just still had bills, ya know).

They paid an $8,000. The paid $3,000 for the first semester of school, and $2000 for the last semester. $1,000 for each semester in between. I just had to take them a list of course grades at the end of each semester to show I passed, and they would give me the next check.

Now I'm serving my two years as there indentered servent

Actually, it's fine. I've got a good job with great co-workers. Just depends on the facility if it is worth it.

BlueEyedRN · Jun 25, 2008

I received a tuition reimbursement scholarship after the fact at the hospital I applied for. It was $7500 with a committment of 1.5 years full time. It was definitely worth it, especially since with scholarships, they don't take out taxes, but with signing bonuses, they deduct a significant amount. Also if for some reason, things don't work out, you can pay back the portion you haven't already worked for.

SoundofMusic · Jun 25, 2008

I received a total of $10K which paid for my BSN from our local "big guy" hospital system. It sounds nice, and yes, I got a job with them no problem after graduation. But now I owe them 18 months AFTER I finish my orientation. It seems like an eternity now, but I'm trying to remind myself that I have no loans to pay off, a steady job, and am getting great training. I did have to apply for it on top of applying for school.

I can stay w/ this system and move all over, or just get the experience, do the committment and move on. Either way I appreciated not having to front the cash to get my BSN. Helped me out a lot not having to ask my hubby to take out a loan for me.

The couple that gave the scholarship gives away millions every year for nursng scholarships - it's amazing.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jun 25, 2008

Wow, I wasn't aware of such a thing as tuition reimbursement. How common is this???

merellis2009 · Jun 25, 2008

I received a $5000 scholarship for my last semester of nursing school from the hospital where I now work. I had to sign a contract for at least one year. The scholarship was paid out to me by a check about a week after the scholarship review committee interview. I was offered a job at the hospital about 3 weeks before applying for the scholarship. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the hospital scholarship because it helped me to pay those last minute fees for graduation, NCLEX study courses, board of nursing fees, and NCLEX fees. Good luck!

NFB2008 · Jun 25, 2008

I got a total of $5000 while in school. They gave $2500 each time, and you could only apply twice. If you applied the second time, you could not receive your check until 1 year after the first one (which was fine). You sign on for 1 year each time. So, I signed a contract for 2 years (or I have to pay it back), and I signed on for another year when I got hired to get my $2500 bonus. It kind of stinks that it comes out of your bonus basically, but I needed that money to help me get through school so it was definitely worth it to me. Plus, I knew that I wanted to work at that hospital. I did still have to interview with HR and then with unit managers for my job. And to get the scholarship I had to get 2 recommendations sent in by instructors or employers, my official transcript sent by the college, and I had to write a short statement about my educational and career goals.

I also knew a girl who took the scholarship once, but ultimately took a job somewhere else. She just took part of her bonus from the other hospital to pay back the scholarship (you have to pay it back right away if you don't work there).

Sorry I was all over the place, but I hope I was able to help!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 25, 2008

You might want to search some threads on this message board; it's been talked about alot, and there's lots of good information out there.

There are significant pros and cons of this kind of arrangement; be sure you've investigated thoroughly!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 25, 2008

i have been offered one that will pay for my school, if i work for them for two years upon graduating!
is it worth it?
how did they pay out the scholarship?
did they offer you a job while in nursing school?
any help would be greatly appreciated!

i had a similar situation; i was a pca working in a hospital and they offered a program where we would be on a leave with pay to become lpns or rns. i was accepted and did not return to work for one day until the program was completed. yes, they guarenteed a position! they paid for my education, they wanted to receive the fruits of their labor. i graduated and got my license in june 2006, and owe them three years. when we got the bill from the bursar's office, we had to take it to the personnel director and a voucher was issued, and when we went to submit it, we received a receipt saying "paid in full". great feeling. i also had my full salary while i was away and book money was reimbursed. we were supposed to return to work during school breaks like winter/spring recess and in between semesters, but i built up so much time that i used to put in for a leave, so, i never returned until we received the letter telling us that the party was over.

the negative side of it was that i began to really see how horribly the nursing department functions in my hospital, but to be honest, they have always looked out for me. i don't like what i see, however, i cannot really say that they have been nothing less than kind to me, but that was because of the relationships i developed with some of the powers that be way before this even occured. good luck!

justme1972 · Jun 25, 2008

They are handing them out like candy at our school.

Here is the catch:

You DO NOT have a choice of which nursing department you work in.

Here is my advice:

Imagine that you are assigned to work in field you hate the most...if you can do that, then I say sign up and take the money. But if you would rather die than work in _________, then don't.

tulip928 · Jun 26, 2008

"Imagine that you are assigned to work in field you hate the most...if you can do that, then I say sign up and take the money. But if you would rather die than work in _________, then don't."

This could very well true. On the other hand, when I graduated, after paying out of pocket for my training, I found that ALL the jobs for new grads went to the scholarship recipients. I wasn't able to get a job in the field I wanted either.

nurse grace RN, BSN · Jun 26, 2008

My hospital paid my tuition, books etc. everything except for uniforms-food- and gas. In return I had to work for three years as a nurse--finally paid up and can go elsewhere if I like. But, mind you--I was already working for them for close to 20 years in the lab as a med tech --so they made out--I worked as a medtech during the day-full time- and went to school -full-time at night for three years. Looking back--how the heck did I ever do it? Now, in hindsight I would have gone the way of tuition reimbursement, rather than scholarship-- I have had bad experiences in my floor positions and would have liked the option of being able to search elsewhere. You have to decide what works for you and good luck!:loveya: