If you got tuition reimbursement and had to sign a contract

Nurses General Nursing

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I know some hospitals will reimburse all or some of your tuition if you agree to work for them for a few years post school. Were you happy you did this? Did it make sense financially or did you find that you had boxed yourself out of a different/better/closer hospital by signing the contract?

I have this opportunity at the hospital I am getting a job at (just medical clerk, havent even started nursing school yet!) My dad is paying for my school so the money is not a factor. But considering how tough some people on here have made the job market seem, I'm wondering if it's not a good idea to just go ahead and do the program in order to secure a job post-grad. The hospital is the closest to me right now and my friends who are nurses say great things about it. But there is a new one that should be built in the next 2 years that would be even closer to me.

Just wondering. TIA!

Christina

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

talk to your Dad. His payments may not be an issue to you, but he deserves a say. Also, it would show maturity on your part to find alternative ways to pay for your own education. Who knows if the other hospital will be as good or better? Go with what you know. Your goal right now is to get out of school, so do whatever you have to do to achieve that goal. Then think about another employer when you are in position to be hired elsewhere. Just my 2 cents

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

70% of my cohort signed a contract. Only about 5-10 out of 50 got jobs in a unit of their choice. the rest are working in a float pool. full time isnt guaranteed

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I would be very careful with such a program. Seems that I have read on this site about people who had contracts with hospitals to pay their tuition, then when time to get job, no job offer, but the contracts still had to be paid.

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My father and I have already talked about this and he is fine either way. He won't want the money back after it's all said and done; he just said I could use it to pay bills or what have you. I am very lucky that he is this supportive of my schooling. :redbeathe

The hospital I am going to be working at is known for this program so I am not too worried about the authenticity. But the statistic about how many grads had signed contracts from 1 cohort is interesting. Thanks for the replies! Keep 'em coming.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

yeah and its a large hospital in an inner city thats supposed to be oh so awesome but its hemorrhaging money and had to divert money from sister hospitals to continue operation. they bit off way more than they could chew

I did not sign the contract and it was hard to find a job but I am ecstatic with the one I have. I would say, if you arent planning on getting a 4.00 and an internship and paying to get ACLS/PALS/EKG certified then you should sign the contract because it seems like here it's the only way to get a job. You can always bank the money and use your dads $$ and then use it to pay them back if you do find a job elsewhere.

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Now that I think about it, I wonder if it's "tuition reimbursement" or "loan repayment"? 2 very different things. I still have to find out more info from the hospital. Just wanted to get a feel for how new grads felt.

Thanks everyone! Most helpful!

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I was offered scholarships from three of the local hospitals when I entered the ADN program two years ago. After researching them I signed a contract with the hospital that I thought would be the best fit for me. Fast forward to the present, I just graduated from school and was notified two months ago that they would not be hiring the people they gave scholarships to unless you are presently employed by them. So I was able to get my school paid for but it leaves me looking for a job like most college graduates have to do anyway. Eventually I will find something and feel as if I came out ahead because I didn't have to pay them back because the hospital broke the contract. Some people in my class turned down the scholarships because the employment situation was good when we started and they wanted to keep their options open. Now they don't have jobs and had to pay for their school. My advice to you would be to sign the contract to "secure a job". Then bank your fathers money in the event you want to buy your contract out to leave for a better job somewhere else. If the employment situation improves by the time that you graduate you may be able to negotiate the contract payoff as part of your compensation with another employer. Hope this helps!

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