nursing schl paid for by hospital?

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 18, 2005

As others have said ... be careful to read the fine print carefully BEFORE you make any kind of committment. Paying back a hospital's "scholarship" if you decide not to work for them may not be anything like paying back a regular loan. For example, you may have to pay back the entire amount immediately -- and if you don't have the cash on hand to do that, you may have to get a loan (at higher than student loan rates) to pay them back.

You may also have to work the least popular floors and the least popular schedules with minimal orientation and support. They have you as somewhat of an "indentured servant" and need not "court you" as much as they would other new grads. That could get your nursing career off to a terrible start.

Another thing I have heard of is that some hospitals do not give their "loan payback employees" the same rate of pay as the other nurses and/or don't give them the same raises that the other nurses get. When hired, the new grad signs a contract to work at certain rate of pay that stays constant throughout the contract while their colleagues get raises, higher differentials, etc.

There are a few good deals out there -- but there are also some bad ones. Investigate thoroughly and get EVERYTHING that matters to you in writing before making a committment. A lot of naive nursing students have been lured into deals that they have come to regret.

Good luck,

llg

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2005

Fun2care,
Where can I get info on that HCA scholarship? Maybe I can get in for next year.

The only online page is HCACares.com, but it will say they are no longer taking applications for it. Contact May Yang at the TWC:

May Yang

Texas Workforce Center-Richardson

HCA Cares Career Specialist

1222 E. Arapaho Road, Suite 336

Richardson, TX 75081

Phone: (972) 234-5391 x247

Fax: (972) 470-9071

Maybe she can direct you to another program, or you can find out if this program will open again at a later time.

My promissory note that I had to sign clearly states if I decide not to work for a HCA North Texas Hospital, I will pay back the loan in installments of $250 with 6% interest per annum. The first payment is due 60 days post completion of the course of study, and each additional payment is due on or before the 1st of the month.

After each 520 hours of continous, full-time employment, the hospital will cancel $1500.00 of the debt.

I have to maintain at least a GPA of 2.7 throughout, or I would have to start paying back the money.

I'm sorry, but for me it's a win-win situation. :)

Even if I decide to work somewhere else, big deal. I'll be able to pay $250/month then.

For that matter, I'll work for them about a year, then decide if I like it enough to stay. I will have my year of experience to move around. Also, I will have a years experience, and feel more comfortable working as an RN and going back to school to get my BSN. Since the hospital work/scholarship would be paid off, I can use employee tuition reinbursement to get my BSN! I already have half or more of the non-nursing courses completed for the BSN, so even I may just go straight to an MSN or NP!!! :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

As for pay and raises....I'm not making anything now. Nor would I be going to school right now if it wasn't for HCA. If I have to start a little lower than most, or if I don't get a raise my first year, it wouldn't be too bad. Yes, I wouldn't like it, but I know they are doing me a favor. The alternative is for me to go back working as a medical assistant, and at most Dr.'s offices, that's only 8-9 dollars an hour.

My "loan" from the hospital is only $5120. I will pay some at the end due to the fact the tuition increased, & I moved out of the district. However, it won't take me much time to pay that small amount off after I start working. If I decide to pay in dollars, I can pay more than one payment at a time.

However I decide to do it, it's possible have it paid off in about a year.

sunnyjohn · Aug 18, 2005

Thanks Fun2care!

I am not fond of HCA, but this does sound like a good opportunity. I will try see if they are offering the scholarship again.

What is the maximum they will lend you? Can you use the money for living expenses?

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2005

Not sure for living expenses, but I know I could have asked for child care expenses.

The max depends on your course of study. I could have gone for a ADN or BSN. I decided on the ADN for several reasons:

1. I figured I'd get a better chance of being approved with an ADN over the BSN because it was less out of their pockets & quicker to fill and empty nursing position. *perk for them & me

2. Less time....RN status quicker *perk for me

3. Less money loaned, less money/required to pay back. *perk for me

4. I knew I had some BSN support classes finished, so it would take me less time to do the RN-BSN. *perk for me

So the *perks for me wins. hahaha

Thanks Fun2care!
I am not fond of HCA, but this does sound like a good opportunity. I will try see if they are offering the scholarship again.
What is the maximum they will lend you? Can you use the money for living expenses?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Aug 18, 2005

My tuition reimbursement is 100% and I get it at the end of each semester, with absolutely no committment to them whatsoever. They have completely paid for nursing school. And if I get my pens and notepads of paper at the bookstore, along with any study guides, it is paid for also. All I have to do is pass the courses, they don't even look at the grades.

My hospital also has a stipend for $5000 per year of nursing, and you don't even have to be an employee until after you graduate. Stipends usually require a committment.

luckyone · Aug 18, 2005

Hello, are you from Maryland or just your friend?

hi sunshine,

im a guy who lives in baltimore. im a hairdresser making a career change soon. i have a degree in eng already.

do you live here?

luckyone · Aug 18, 2005

My tuition reimbursement is 100% and I get it at the end of each semester, with absolutely no committment to them whatsoever. They have completely paid for nursing school. And if I get my pens and notepads of paper at the bookstore, along with any study guides, it is paid for also. All I have to do is pass the courses, they don't even look at the grades.
My hospital also has a stipend for $5000 per year of nursing, and you don't even have to be an employee until after you graduate. Stipends usually require a committment.

are you already in the health care field or working at a hos?

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Aug 18, 2005

are you already in the health care field or working at a hos?

Yep. I already work in a hospital as a tech.

RN_Hopeful · Aug 19, 2005

Yep. I already work in a hospital as a tech.

What hospital is this that your are referring to? Also, what nursing school are you attending? And are you getting an ADN or BSN? I'm trying to find a program like that here in Philly, but I'm having a hard time. I'm also checking out of state, because I have no problems with relocating. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks.

DragonflyShell · Aug 19, 2005

I work at a hospital but you don't necessary need to work at it except if you want to try for the tuition reimbursment. The tuition reimbursement you have to be employed and the class has to be preapproved and then you need to get a B or A in order to receive your tuition back. If you receive a C or below you're screwed. No money back. Though if you receive below a C in the nursing program you are screwed no matter what. :rolleyes:

If you are employed or not, they do offer a few loans and scholarships. If you were to be hired as a RN, then every hour you work is a dollar off the loan. If you don't work there, then you pay it back like any other borrowed loan. So yoiu don't necessary have to have a committment to work there but it does have some benefit if you do.

I am receiving two loans that is pretty much paying for almost all of my education costs. I do plan on continuing to work at the hospital when I do get my RN.

Shell :)

Nurseismade RN · Aug 20, 2005

My tuition reimbursement is 100% and I get it at the end of each semester, with absolutely no committment to them whatsoever. They have completely paid for nursing school. And if I get my pens and notepads of paper at the bookstore, along with any study guides, it is paid for also. All I have to do is pass the courses, they don't even look at the grades.
My hospital also has a stipend for $5000 per year of nursing, and you don't even have to be an employee until after you graduate. Stipends usually require a committment.

You have an awsome situation...I work in a hospital but they offer just tuition reimbursement of $750 per year, which helps a little.... :) What hospital are you working at??? and do you know if they have an affiliate hospital here in Boston

mandikt · Aug 21, 2005

Basically it depends from different facilities. With the hospital I work for they will give up to $10,000 in return for 1 year working there. But they will pay for the senior year if you sign a contract to work there for two years after grad. in a "hard to fill" dept. doing night shift. so there are some pro's and con's. With my hospital we have to go to the education department to get all the information. But they have to approve you to recieve the money.

hello,
does anyone have any details on how to get your hospital to pay for your nursing training. i met a girl who is going to towson college in balto md. Saint joes hospital is paying for her school in exchange for a year of work.
how can i do that?
thanks