Service scholarship???

Sarahstudent · Aug 23, 2002

I say go to that hospital and talk to the nurses. If the hospital is a complete dive forget it but if it's tolerable go for it. I have applied to a similar program and am really eager to get accepted.

If it turns out to be absolutely horrible, then leave and pay them. You'd have to pay the tuition if you didn't sign the contract anyway! And look at it this way, think of how much money you're actually making...your salary + the $22k! Not too bad of a deal. It might make it worth the crumby job. If you go to a different hospital you'd be making yours salary - the $22K. Thats really a $44k difference. Hang in there for the 2 yrs, you'll learn what you do or do not what to do with the future of your career!

Sarah

sjoe · Aug 23, 2002

The VA has a version of that program that financed my last half of nursing school (over $21K worth).

I applied for their VA Scholar program with my financial aid office, then I had to find a VA hospital where I wanted to work (no problem), and get them to agree to hire me effective on graduation even before my RN results had come back.

Then I owed them year-for-year working as a regular staff RN at full pay and benefits. At the end of that year they paid off the school. I stayed another 6 months before hitting the road.

It was a good deal and excellent experience, since I had already decided to work med-surg for a year after school anyway.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2002

Howdy yall

from deep in the heat of texas

Aint never heard of such a thing

doo wah ditty

Vsummer1 · Aug 24, 2002

They have this same deal at my school. During orientation they announced 3 "winners" of this scholarship. I wonder if these "winners" understand the commitment they are making?

I have heard you will be assigned the worst jobs / hours etc. and if you don't like it, you pay them back. That to me is not an "award" at all but an indentured servant plan.

I chose NOT to apply for this because when I graduate I want to be able to persue options and not be locked into 2 years or have the threat of my having to pay back thousands of dollars!

WICMissy · Aug 24, 2002

I am wondering where you got information on these kinds of programs. It sounds like something worth considering.

Missy

Vsummer1 · Aug 24, 2002

They sent the application to us in the mail with our acceptance letter / registration / info packet. They call it "adopt a student". The local hospital pays up to $2000 (only two thousand) per semester for your schooling, and you sign a promissory note. You have to do the interview, have the references etc. to get it. This is automatically renewed every semester unless your GPA falls below 3.0.

If you drop out, get kicked out, or don't pass your NCLEX you owe them the money. Or, if you don't fulfill your promise to work for them immediately after graduation for 2 full years after graduation, you owe them the money.

On the surface it looks great! But, when talking with someone they told me that these grads don't get the best terms of employment because they are obligated to the Hospital for 2 years.

spineCNOR · Aug 24, 2002

Greetings Maura,

Listen to your mother! Two years is a LONNNGGG time to be miserable!

One factor to consider -- if circumstances mean that you will end up repaying the scholarship, will it have to be repaid in a lump sum?

(If, for example, you meet and marry Mr. Right and move to another state).

Do your research-- talk to some of the nurses who work at the hospital. Your school might be able to refer you to their graduates who now work for the hospital. Talking to nurses who are now working for the hospital on the scholarship repayment program you are considering would help to make your decision easier.

Talk to the admissions advisor and someone in financial aid at your school - there may be other scholarships, etc. that you are not aware of. The Federal government has a loan repayment program for nurses that requires you to work in any one of a number of facilities in "healthcare shortage" area - and you are not obligated to any specific facility.

Basically, consider all of your options carefully and do what is best for you.

:rolleyes:

Good luck in school!

Maura · Aug 25, 2002

Thanks for the input. The financial aid office will hopefully have a package together for me before I have to return the contract. I did apply for a Dean's scholarship also, and may be eligible for some institutional grants. I am not elgible for any state or federal grants because this is my second bachelor's degree.

The hospital is a good one to work for. It is university based in a major metropolitan area and is affiliated with the nursing school. I just know that the units they will put me in are not going to be the ones I will seek out upon graduation. I could easily do a year, but two may be painful.

SpineCNOR--The entire $22K would be paid back over a period of 5 years if I defaulted. I have been looking at loan repayment programs for after graduation. I am hoping the financial aid package may pay for at least half of my tuition.

WICMissy-- This particular scholarship is offerred by the College of Nursing at my school and the hospital. They pay the whole tuition based on merit with an interview. I am in the accelerated program, so I will only attend school for 4 quarters and would have to work for 2 years upon graduation. The regular BSN program requires 3 years of service.

Must put my son to be bed!

Thanks,

Maura

MishlB · Aug 25, 2002

http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrefaq.htm

Nursing Education Loan Repayment Programs:

This site provides info on facilities that will repay part of your student loans, and there are many facilities that qualify.

NannaNurse · Aug 25, 2002

Where I'm at......you attend school and submit your semester bills after passing. They give you credit for working......it totals $1260.oo every 6 months. If you have past loans upon hire....they pay for those too.....it's a great place to work. If you attend school for a semester, submit your bills and they pay for them and then you quit.....you don't owe them for what they paid. :)

jurbyjunk · Aug 25, 2002

I graduated from university in 1966. One way that I funded my education was to take ROTC. I was paid a monthly wage, and after I graduated and was licensed, I served 4 years with the USAF. Never regretted it either. Suggest that you contact the different services and see what they offer. Good luck with whatever you do. Speaking as a mom, I think your mom's right.