Is it worth locking yourself into Banner for 3 years?

mattsmom64 · Mar 16, 2006

The Banner program is a good opportunity but I guess youy would really have to ask yourself whether or not you want to be tied to them or not. My friend just graduated their program at Gateway in January and she seems to like it. She is working in the department (not med-surge) she wanted and she also got her first choice of shift....It would be nice to have someone else cover all tuition, books, and supplies costs!

However, I personally wouldn't want to be part of the program. I don't have anything against Banner and I do hope to work for them after I graduate. I just don't like the idea of being "tied" to anyone. If I decide to leave AZ after graduation I want to be free and clear to do so without having to buy out a contract. Plus, with all of these new hospitals opening up who is to know what kind of opportunities will be waiting for us upon graduation?

Lastly, ;) now that I have seen the hectic pace of the program (it isn't hard, but you have to take in a lotof info in a short period of time) I am glad that I will have a summer off in between semesters!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

I have no personal knowledge of Banner. I just know that I would move heaven and Earth to pay my own tuition and books. I abhor the idea of being tied to an employer. Indentured Servitude comes to mind. Ok, well I'm just being melodramatic LOL.

Seriously though, I'd take out private loans -- anything to not be trapped with one employer for so long. That's me though, I'm a stickler for being 100% independent and I don't do well if I have even the perception of being trapped.

I do have a friend who has to work for a hospital for 2 years because tehy paid for her accelerated BSN program. Problem for her is that they require rotating shifts. She is physically sick on rotating shifts. She didn't know beforehand that this would be a problem. They won't put her on nights only even like she requested. She said any shift, please just don't rotate me, I'm sick. They aren't accommodating. If she leaves she has to cough up over 20k. And she can't.

Now, I'm sure there are just as many happy nurses, probably more...than unhappy ones who have service committments.

Well, that's my opinion! I don't do well when I feel trapped!

cgg702 · Mar 16, 2006

I have some experience with this - I got my first degree in a similar type program where a federal agency paid for my entire college education (books and tuition). The work commitment after I graduated was four years. At first it was very hard to wrap my mind around the concept that I would owe someone 4 years of my time, because I'm a pretty independent girl myself. But once I actually graduated and started working, I realized what a sweet deal it was. I didn't love my job, but I was making good money and I was learning a lot. All my friends were complaining about their school loans and how they couldn't afford anything, while I bought a new car and spent a month in Europe. The 4 years flew by, and now that I've come to the end of that chapter of my life, I'm ready to pursue nursing, hopefully all paid for again (I just applied to U of A's accelerated BSN program where you are sponsored by a hospital and have a 2 year work commitment afterward).

You really just have to weigh the pros and cons. Even if you weren't thrilled with your new job, it will still be experience in a field that u want to be in. After that u can leave, footloose and fancy free to go anywhere u like. And who knows, maybe u would love it at Banner.

When it gets down to it, the decision of course is yours. Would u rather owe the hospital your time or the bank your money?

Lammy · Mar 16, 2006

Life is unpredictable. If you are in a position to not worry about repaying $10k then go for it.....however, what if you need to leave your job,what if they change your hours, health problems, family problems? I would rather spend an extra 5 months and be free to do what you want and not have to be obligated. My opinion of course, I've seen life throw many a curve ball.

CHATSDALE · Mar 16, 2006

it took my dtr over 5 years to pay off student loans...if you borrow you are in essence committed. depends on the way you look at it

visit the hospital and talk with some of the nurses...may particular attention to their gripes andhow this hospital compares with other facilities they have worked at..see if this is something that you can work with

this may be a golden opportunity or a lead balloon, read contract and see if you can buy out on a prorated basis if you decide half way through commitment that you want out

hope you are hapy with decision which ever it is

mattsmom64 · Mar 16, 2006

Also, check to see if Phoenix College participates in the Americorp program. With Americorp you can earn money for school by completing servise hours in areas of need. At MCC any clinical hours we participate in as well as a percentage of our classroom time can be applied towards service hours. The more service hours you do the more money you are eligible for. For example, I signed up for 300 service hours and will receive 1000.00 in education benefits after completion. Our Americorp rep said that we would complete just about 300 hours during Block 1. The money earned in the program can even be applied to old student loans.....

MsBruiser · Mar 16, 2006

Thanks for all these great perspectives!

My wife is leaning on me fairly heavily to do Banner. She values the quicker finish time, and says if needed we can just pay our way out. But I like the idea of flexibility. So we'll just have to see! Providing I get in...

phxnewgrad · Mar 17, 2006

I had a couple of budies who locked into Banner and love the benefits and patient ratios. The one thing they hate is the pay. I have been working registry as an lpn and doing pretty solid definently make more money then most lpn's at banner. I guess its a give and take, i pay for my own benefits, but i also dont have to work when i dont want to.

boomerfriend · Mar 20, 2006

Stopnik,

As you know, I'm currently in the Phoenix College traditional program. I considered the Banner program as well...have a friend in it right now. He likes it but has no children at home so has time to commit to the schedule. He also likes the idea of being done ASAP. The schedule is grueling but do-able. Drawback that I see is the working for Banner exclusively for 3 years. I have heard many times they pay the lowest in the valley. However, on the plus side, I like Banner's way of doing business. I volunteered there for 6 months and did my CNA there and they were great. Really focuses on patient care and putting their interests first. Yeah, they've always got an eye on the bottom line but don't all hospitals?

As for PC participating in Americorps....yes they do. I'm a member and expect my $1000 tuition assistance this summer They'll do a pitch for it at orientation for PC. My vote would be for Phoenix College....but I'm biased Would love to have you come join us....but can understand the allure of being done quicker. Good luck with the decision.

Calzonan RN · Mar 20, 2006

I just wanted to add my :twocents:

There are a couple of programs through the Maricopa CC's that are accelerated. If you're looking to finish fast I'd check into those. YOu also have to consider that after all is said and done, you only really pay about $4-5K for nursing school. To me that wasn't worth a three year committment to Banner. I want to be flexible and work where I want to work, and at which hospital I want to work at. Even if you get a student loan, $5K can be paid off fairly quickly. There is a program through Southwest loans where if you work as a nurse in AZ after you graduate the interest rate is something like .12%!!!! That's nothing!! PLUS if you're a member of Americorps (like I am) they pay the interest on your loans plus I get something like $2400 for 900 hours of service, so you're basically getting loans interest free, in my opinion, a lot better option than a committment of three years.

And finally, I've heard that during the Banner program you have to be more than flexible, you have to be a contortionist!!! I was told that they were supposed to be going to school certain days, and then at the last minute it all changed, and then went back to what they'd said or something like that. It was all mixed up, so if you have any life at all (kids, wife, husband) you pretty much have to be available any day of the week, any time of the week, which is very hard for most people to do.

Banner can be a great option for some people, especially those that didn't get placed this Fall, it's a great way to maybe get into a program in the Fall, but there are a lot of drawbacks to it too.

Good luck in your decision,

Keli

MsBruiser · Mar 20, 2006

How does Americorps work?