Four Year Contract for Free School?

Published

Hello,

I need some guidance! I'm a LPN that has worked in Same Day Surgery for 6 years. I've been accepted into a LPN-RN bridge program for this spring! The hospital that I work for just sent out a contract scholarship opportunity. They will pay for my school if I sign on for four years.....but it has to be in a high need critical Care unit (step down, icu, or cvor). I never have considered working in any of these units. My sights are on OB or NICU. I also want to pursue my MSN in Women's Health at a later time. So.....WWYD? Four years is a long time. I thought about doing one year in Stepdown and the last 3 in ICU and then transfer. Or not take the contract and look elsewhere? Any help/suggestions/experience is greatly appreciated!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, *no*, no, no, no.

And NO.

How were you planning to pay for your program prior to receiving this email? Whatever it was (short of robbing a bank), do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU and Dialysis.

Does your hospital not offer some standard form of tuition reimbursement? That sounds really sketchy, and much too long of a time period to spend in a dept that you don't want to be in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How much will your degree cost? I finished my ADN for far less than $10,000, so I wouldn't mortgage four years of my life for that, but I might consider it if I was going to some crazy expensive school.

Does your hospital have any other tuition reimbursement plan? That might be a better, more flexible solution, especially since you are not interested in those areas.

What happens if you quit or get fired? Do you have to pay it all back even if you leave after 3 years? What if you rent a good fit for any of those areas after orientation?

Are you guaranteed a job? I had a friend who got school paid for by her employer, but then she couldn't get a RN job there when she graduated. She ended up having to pay it all back.

I'd need to know more, but I'd be very hesitate to sign a four year contract for an area I had no interest in. You need to ask a lot more questions before you go down this path.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

How long is that bridge program?

Typically one year - right?

And they want FOUR years of your life post program? In an area you aren't interested in. Nah. Not a chance.

Don't employers offer regular tuition assistance? Use that. Use student loans, grants, home equity, sell lemonade, Etsy, I don't know, but servitude is not the answer.

Hard pass.

Good Luck.

It will work out.

You got this.

:angel:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sounds like you already know the answer for yourself, but you just want confirmation.

If you have no intention of working in a unit they want you to take a four year contract in, then no freakin' way, man.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I let my hospital pay for my rn-bsn with a 3 year commitment. But, I got to stay in the department that I loved.

Until...we were bought out by a for-profit company and things changed dramatically. Our location was closed and I was relocated to a horrible place. Horrible. I tried to stick it out but couldn't make till the end of my required time. I was so stressed.

After I left my company sent me a bill the same week. I only had a few months to pay it back. I ended up hurting a lot more than if I took financial aid and did it myself.

When it came time to go back for my Master's I didn't make the same mistake. I'd rather be in debt a little longer than to feel shackled to a nightmare job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion