Nursing school contract

Ready to go at 42 · Jun 8, 2005

Hi everybody,
Haven't written in a long while ( I AM in nursing school !) Anyway, when I started my program last year I had the option to sign this tuition benefit agreement where, basically the school pays for all your nursing classes in return for the graduated student to work for for one of the hospitals within the Alliance for 2 years. You still get paid and all when you start working, but you're "roped in" to the hospital for 2 whole years! At the time when I signed this contract I figured I'd want to stay in the state where I am. Well, now, I am really having second thoughts about that. I don't like the idea of being bound to this 2 year commitment. You do have the option of re-paying the school the loan, but that would be somewhere around 16,000 which I don't have. Does anyone have any suggestions for this? I know many hospitals/companys have hefty sign on bonuses. Are there any suggestions of places/hospitals that do this? Any advice would be great! Thanks, Lonna :)

My hospital is paying for my education, and in return I have to work for them for 2 years after graduation. I dont look at it in any negative way, I figure that I can get 2 years of expierence under my belt and then maybe figure out where I want to go from there. I dont think 2 years is bad at all, considering the price of my education. I know alot of people envy that I have a chance to go tution free through-out nursing school. I think this is a great opportunity for you. May God bless you in what ever you do!

sunnyjohn · Jun 8, 2005

In teh grand scheme of things, two years is not a long time. Since you said you may want to move out of state it might be cumbersome.

How long will the hospital give you to pay back the $16k if you decide to leave? Will they cut of part of the loan if you stay, say, 6 months.

Ask. It's good practice to know all the details before you sign any contract. Even if you take the loan and intend on staying two years, what happens if for soem unforseen reason you can't.

I have read on other hospital websites where they will pay of these type of "work commitment loans" even if the loan was made by another hospital, but then you would ahve a new work commitment their.

Agape.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2005

Two years doesn't seem so bad when compared to the 10 or so years I will be tied to my student loans.

You just need to decide what is more important to you, getting through school without debt or having the freedom to move out of state when you graduate.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

scuba4321 · Jun 8, 2005

What a "tough" choice!! I wish I had that problem, I am having a hard time finding a hospital here in Atlanta were I can work, and go to Nursing school, and have them pick up the tab! I am an EMT and in Paramedic school to bridge over at a later date! my advise work the two years and be thankful !!

Bobbye · Jun 8, 2005

What a "tough" choice!! I wish I had that problem, I am having a hard time finding a hospital here in Atlanta were I can work, and go to Nursing school, and have them pick up the tab! I am an EMT and in Paramedic school to bridge over at a later date! my advise work the two years and be thankful !!

AMEN

dettwiller5 · Jun 8, 2005

I agree with the others. Tow years will fly by very quickly. In fact, I am planning to do the same thing. Look at it this way- you wont have to look for a first job as a new grad. When your debt is repaid, you will have plenty of experience and you will have more options if you want to move out of state at that time. It takes a while to pay off a $16,000 debt. I am looking forward to signing that contract! Good Luck with whatever decision you choose to make!

Princess74 · Jun 8, 2005

How do you get involved in these programs. Do I just go to a hospital and ask if they will pay for my NS.

dettwiller5 · Jun 9, 2005

How do you get involved in these programs. Do I just go to a hospital and ask if they will pay for my NS.

The nursing school that I will be attending has a scholarship called "The Power of One". I know that several other ADN programs in the area offer the same sholarship. If any of the hospitals in your area have ADN programs, I'm sure that they would have something similar. If I were you, I would just call sround too hospitals in your area that have ADN programs and ask them if they offer a scholarship in return for work performed at the hospital.

youknowho · Jun 9, 2005

I signed a contract also (along with everyone else in my class). As long as I have the option to pay the money back in case it doesnt work out, Im lucky to have the chance to get a "free" BSN in exchage for two years, I just started last week but I still wake up every day and think how lucky I am:)

dave1117 · Jun 9, 2005

But how about looking at it this way...

You made a deal, you signed it...

The hospital made a deal and they paid for your school...

They lived up to their end...

How about you just do the RIGHT thing and live up to your end of the deal.

I know this is not a popular trend in todays world but one I wish we could get back to.

As far as how to break your deal, it is really quite simple, take out a loan, and pay them back. If that is not a realistic option then go back to plan "A" and live up to your end of the deal.

And yes like other have said two years will go fast.

Sorry for the dose of reality, good luck with your decision.

dave :)