Anyone besides me not taking hospital scholarships to not get "locked in"?

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jemommyRN

587 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

If I could pick which unit I worked in then fine. But, you are not going to stick in me in a super short med surg floor and burn me out of my nursing career early! I don't think so.

Logos

229 Posts

No way- I did not do it- people kept telling me oh you could go here or there for "free."

No way, I am paying for it all out of pocket- no student loans- no work paying some of it, nothing- I'm just paying for it all.

karlita

26 Posts

Yes. I bet it will be fine where I am, too. I worry too much. About many, many things LOL.

I worry a lot too sometimes :p. I have already worked for several of the facilities of the company that is paying for my program, and I am still currently working in one. I know some of the nurse managers in the ER, where I would like to work, and they have encouraged me to "hurry up and finish so I can start working there." I don't think the job will be just handed to me because I know them, but I do think I will have an advantage in that I have worked for, and along side, these people. They know me, my work ethic, and my attitude in different situations. I hope the fact that I have been a good employee in the past will help them know I will be a good employee to have around in the future. BUT like they said...I have to hurry up and finish! Can't wait! :)

Skrawberri

62 Posts

Specializes in Renal.

I am on scholarship with the local hospital around here. It was the only choice I had, really... Our financial situation changed and I did NOT want to take out student loans.. Plus, my DH will still be in college for another 2 years after I graduate, and this hospital is the only one locally, and I work there already so I am probably going to work on the floor I work on now as a tech. It ALL depends on the hospital that is offering the scholarship. The hospital Im on scholarship with offers full tuition, books, and fees. You work for them 2 years (up to $12,000 loaned), any more than $12,000 is an extra year, but you can pay back the difference if you only wanted 2 years. You also get to choose which area you want to work in, if that area has an opening (which is true for anyone applying for a job, reall).. It actually made some major magazines list as top 100 places to work.... Not sure which magazine though!

So like I said it all depends, so you have to do some research!! It worked out great for me...

RNMeg

450 Posts

Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

I did sign a contract, and was told when I signed it that I'd be able to choose where I wanted to work, provided there were jobs available there. I have a suspicion the only jobs available for new grads when I get there will be on the hospital's insane med/surg floor. We'll see :)

eldragon

421 Posts

Not for tuition reimbursement, but the local VA hospital nurse recruiter came to talk to us yesterday and they are offering decent sign-on bonuses for new - just out of school - no experience nurses.

The hourly wage is pretty low, but with the sign-on bonus, benefit package, and job security it's overall pretty tempting.

Plus there are VA facilities everywhere - in every state and you can transfer.

LMRN10

1,194 Posts

I don't work for a hospital, but rather a pharmaceutical company and they offer tuition reimbursement. When I first started working towards my degree, for an associates, we were not expected to stay after graduating. This changed this past spring, and I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with my benefits people trying to figure out where that left me and if I could get out of it because I don't want to work for the pharmaceutical company when I graduate.

So, all in all, I lucked out. They said as long as I didn't submit anything for the Fall semester, I would not be locked into anything and all the semesters up until that point were just paid for...I didn't have to pay anything back. So, at least I got some paid for at 100%...can't complain too much!

Becca608

314 Posts

Specializes in med-surg.

I think that some of the more progressive hospitals are realizing that offering this kind of deal does not pay. We had a major hospital in our area come with recruiters to speak with us and many expected to walk out with checks.

Imagine the surprise when they explained that their point of view was that other hospitals offer these 'scholarships' to retain nurses for a year or two before they (the nurses) move on. They explained that they felt the money was better spent in developing a RETENTION/RESIDENCY program specifically to provide new nurses with the support that they need during the first year, including an extended preceptorship, an individual mentor and opportunities to meet with peers (other new nurses) to express concerns to a panel of nurses willing to address those concerns.

Their main thing was that new nurses are happier with support than money.

As broke as I am, I told my parents about what they were saying and it was agreed that an employer that was going to invest in my professional growth was worth more than 5-10K anyday.

Becca608

314 Posts

Specializes in med-surg.
If I could pick which unit I worked in then fine. But, you are not going to stick in me in a super short med surg floor and burn me out of my nursing career early! I don't think so.

What's so bad about med-surg? It gives you a good foundation. I see alot of classmates going for one specific area and they will be screwed in 5 years because they are burnt out on ICU/NICU/PEDS and never got a really good foundation to move on.

Every nurse I talk to tells me the same thing--get the 1-2 years of med-surg, then move on.

kmn360

35 Posts

Where I'm at they require 3 years, but you can buy them out, should you decide not to stay. Since it's based with a CC the booked and tuition are low. I've heard good and bad, but I'm still going with it. Why would they hand pick people for a program and then treat them bad so they quite, that doesn't make any sense to me. This did three things for me - got me in a head of the waiting list, they are paying for school not me and I finish in 16 months. I'll be done before people on the waitlist even get in. I guess it depends on what you are looking for and what you can aford. Seems to be a lot of pros and cons.;)

Specializes in SICU, MICU, CICU, NeuroICU.

My school had offered to pay for the last semester of school ($4444) in trade for 1 year of services. If you broke the contract you had to pay them the tuition. But they stopped that So I am under no obligations when I graduate.

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