HRSA Nurse Corps Pros/Cons

[binggrad]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone out there had been awarded the HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship. If so, what are your thoughts on how it helped you advance in your career? I had read some people say it severely limited their job opportunities and is putting a damper on their future career goals. Others say it was benefical. If anyone has some advice I would greatly appreciate it.

[RN9742]

I think part of this depends on the area you live in as die whether it hampers your job opportunities. I know where I live, a large majority of the area is underserved, and most jobs I would apply to qualify.

[the healer's art]

I've talked to some people who've gotten it. They have really emphasized that you need to be willing to relocate and you shouldn't have your heart set on a specific speciality. For example, if you want to become a CRNA and HAVE to work in an ICU or if you MUST work in NYC or something then it's probably not for you. So flexibility is key in accepting the scholarship. They said most of the jobs that qualified paid less than other places but considering you don't have debt it evens out. You only have a few months to find a job so you have to be on it. However some of the scores end up changin so you can't look too far ahead.

[jennannwarren]

I received my award notification email last Wednesday and declined the award today. I live in Maine and there were no qualified facilities with in a 3 hour radius of me. I can not relocate as I have children in school and own my house. I am just going to take out the loans, pay them off while I am still in school and work as much as I can. I couldn't risk not being able to find a job after 6 months and did not want to be limited on where I could work.

[skgjco]

Did you already get the 2013-2014 award letters or are they still coming? I haven't heard one way or another. Are they all electronic this year? Letters in the mail? Thanks.

[myelin]

I'm willing to relocate and I'm going to be a psych NP (lots of jobs in this area), so I'm not too worried. I am a bit worried, since it is a risk, but it seems like it works out for most people, especially if you are flexible on location.

[CJSik]

skgjco,

Most of the people that I have heard from (or read about on another forum on here) still have "under review" listed on their application. Myself included! We should hear if we have gotten it by the 31st of this month, a couple of days. Some people have already been awarded. If after the August 31st deadline, more scholarships become available (someone who is awarded declines he scholarship or something) then it is possible that some people will be notified in September.