Help: Freaking out before taking a single step

[mrjeffjefferson]

Hi all,

I'm a late-20's male in NJ looking at a career change into the field of nursing. And I'm freaking out.

I have been told by several nurses that I shouldn't pay for a RN degree, as, by working at a hospital/ medical center/ university, I can have my two-year A.S. degree paid for. Is this true? Could someone please help me figure out how to determine if an institution would pay for a student to get an RN?

Normally, to enter a new field, I would just take classes and struggle with financial aid and student loans. However, this idea of an outside party paying for my education has got me completely at a stand-still, as I truly don't know how to proceed.

I could really use some help! Anybody have any recommendations?

[shippoRN]

Hi there, and:welcome:

Now, first of all, are you currently working at a hospital or a health care facility.

I can speak from my perspective, i will be starting nursing school in the fall, I work at a hospital, and they offer tuition reimbursement. I will be expected to pay my own bill and they will reimburse me 80% of the tuition after I pass the class with a C or better.

The only way I will be eligible for tuition reimbursement is if I work fulltime. Now I am not quite sure if I have to work a full 40 hrs which is impossible or if I can work 36hrs will find that out as soon as i get my school schedule. If i cannot maintain a fulltime schedule then I am not eligible.

If you currently work at a hospital or health care facility call up the HR department or find out who you can speak with about it and ask them questions you want to know. Make a list of those questions before you call them such as:

1. Is it full 100% payment, and how much will they pay in a year (my hospital i believe will only pay 10G's each year)

2. Do they pay your bill directly or are you expected to pay your bill and AFTER you pass your class will be reimbursed your money.

3. Are you obligated to work for said hospital for a certain amount of years after they pay or reimburse your money.

4. If it is mandatory to work with said hosptial and you choose to break that commitment what are the repercussions.

5. Are part time workers eligible or do you have to work fulltime to be eligible

6. What is considered fulltime? is it mandatory to work 40 hrs or is a mininum of 35 or 36 hrs considered fulltime.

Thats all I can think of now

If you aren't working at a health care facility, then I think you should start by getting yourself a position at a hospital that offers educational benifits, and find out how long you need to be working there (6 months - 1yr) before you can be considered for tuition benifits.

I hope this helps

~M

[Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN]

The hospital I work at will give me tuition reimbursment if I work 20hrs per week. I have to pay my tuition and then I get it back at the end of the semester. They also only cover health care related classes, not eng.,speech, etc. I generally don't use the program through my work, I rely more on financial aid. You should look into all your options and then do what works best for you.

[SHELL75]

You'll Just Have To Talk To Hr Depts. The Hospital I Work For Will Do Tuition Reimbursment 100% But You Have To Sign A Contract To Work There 2 Yrs After You Graduate.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I worked for Meridian Health (Riverview Med Ctr in Red Bank, system also includes Jersey Shore U Med Ctr, Ocean Medical Ctr) as a patient care tech. The pay was pretty darn good (I was per diem with no benefits, but worked FT hours) I believe they offered up to $3000 a year tuition reimbursement for nursing students, with some type of service commitment. You had to pay for it first, then apply for the money after the end of the year/semester. File a FAFSA if it isn't too late, since you may be eligible for a scholarship or low-interest loan. Ultimately you need to compare your income now to what you will make as an RN, and decide if loans are worth it, and will you be able to pay them off on that salary.