Asking Hospitals to Fund for your Degree

pcicurn7 · Feb 26, 2007

Well, it has to be part of your benefit package. Most benefits packages include tuition reimbursement, and not all of them require you to work with them after you are done (at least, there isn't a written agreement to the such). I would call HR and find out if you have tuition reimbursement, how much it is, and what are the stipulations for using it. Good luck!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2007

like iris said, it varies according to each hospital's benefits package. Sometimes they will pay up to a certain amount, a cap, and where you choose to go is up to you to get the most value for it. Sometimes, there's no cap (rare but true) on reimbursement so you can choose a pricier education, but expect to stay longer at that facility to repay them in time. My facility expects an employee to work one hour for each dollar they spent on the employee's education, starting AFTER graduation. Depending on how much you spend, that can be several years' worth of time.

They also had a plan where they paid half up to a certain amount, but no pay-back was necessary. So you paid 50% yourself but had no catch.

If you want to stay at that facility long-term, it might be a great plan. Look around and see what you can find :)

Cherish · Mar 25, 2007

I'm looking into this. I am going to be going into a program that has a tuition reimbursement contract with Duke University Hospital. But its a three year contract and you get back 23,000-24,000 tuition reimbursement (it goes higher if the school increases tuition). But it's taxed so in reality thats about 17,000ish. How many of you would actually do this (you have to sign the contract in the first semester)? I would like to go back into the military (once I graduate but may do reserve while I'm in school) and was wondering if some of these contracts can be voided if you go into the military. Thanks for any replies.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 27, 2007

I'm looking into this. I am going to be going into a program that has a tuition reimbursement contract with Duke University Hospital. But its a three year contract and you get back 23,000-24,000 tuition reimbursement (it goes higher if the school increases tuition). But it's taxed so in reality thats about 17,000ish. How many of you would actually do this (you have to sign the contract in the first semester)? I would like to go back into the military (once I graduate but may do reserve while I'm in school) and was wondering if some of these contracts can be voided if you go into the military. Thanks for any replies.

I personally would never sign any contract with any facility in my first semester of school. Neither would I do it later one for that matter: when it comes time to graduate, you will be able to pick and choose the facility, the unit, the schedule you prefer, etc. (being realistic about what's available and competition, of course). If you have a contract with a facility already, THEY will decide when you work, where you work, etc. It's common to have them place you in areas they most need you since they've already "bought" you, but you might find there's good reason for that and hate it.

Naturally, there are those who have gone this route and found it all worked out just great, but in my experience those have been the minority.

I liked being a "free agent" when I got my license: I owed no hospital anything, and when the recruiters came calling, they were happy to give me money in the form of sign-on bonuses, perks. Nothing to pay back if I changed my mind.

I don't know that you can void the contract for any reason without being required to compensate the hospital for their loss ($$ they paid you already). You're not being drafted into the military without choice, you're choosing to go to another employer. Not likely to get you out of anything, but then again, I'm not a lawyer. I'm sure you'd need one, though, if the hospital is paying that kind of money in anticipation of a contracted length of employment and you decide to back out.

Good luck in whatever you decide....how I wish we all had crystal balls when we needed them!

CiCigirl · Mar 27, 2007

icanhealyou: i understand where you're coming from. this is an option i'm considering also.

however i also understand where rnswe is coming from as well. i'd love to be able to pick and choose the hospital where i'd like to work when i get my asn.

but here's the deal: going to school to get the asn is expensive (we all know this). i'll be not working while i do it so there'll be additional financial strains as well. and geez, i just love to have the rent paid, food in the refrigerator, and the lights on, you know? :chuckle

so although i think it'd be groovy to be able to pick and choose the hospital where i later work, i'm also seriously considering a hospital sponsored scholarship to put me through nursing school.

i can heal you, i don't know if your considering a scholarship, tuition reimbursement program or what, but check out your area hospital's websites or give the hospitals in your area a call. they may have a program that fits with what your looking for. i know that in my area there are several hospitals that have scholarships for nursing school. all that's required for consideration is your acceptance letter, probably transcripts, stuff like that.

but before i sign anything promising myself to a certain hospital for however many years (i've heard that it's typically one or two) i'll do some investigating on my own. it's important to me to work at a hospital with a good sense of comraderie (sp?) b/w members of the staff, to not be stressed out by high patient ratios, etc. b/c i really think the people i work with and the work i do can make all the difference b/w wanting to go to work and crying all the way there. :pumpiron:

good luck in your search!!