Nursing Shortage at Nashville Area Hospitals? Perceptive to Negotiations?

[BlessedMom4]

Greetings. I am wanting to find out how the nursing shortage is affecting Nashville area hospitals (specifically Vanderbilt Children's, Baptist, and St. Thomas). I just got accepted into a nursing program (associates) for Spring 2009. I am thinking about contacting these facilities regarding loan forgiveness/tuition reimbursement in exchange for working for them for a few years, but I did not know how perceptive they would be in negotiating. The problem: Ideally, I do not want to work (full-time or part-time if possible) while in nursing school. (It's my understanding that most hospitals require you work for them full-time or part-time while in school and they'll pay a little towards your tuition as well as requiring you work for them for 1-3 years after graduating.) I might be in a better position once I completed one or two semesters and then approach them (career fairs, etc.). But part of me thinks, that if they are in big enough of a bind, they would be very open to negotiations now. Does anyone have any experience with this and would like to share? Thank you and have a bless day. :)

[Gauge]

I wouldn't think they would negotiate any really. To them you are at a minimum 2 years away from getting out of school, if they are in a bind now they want nurses now and may negotiate with them if they are in a bind. Usually most hospitals have pretty scrict guidelines to follow as far as tuition reimbursement and such and can't vary any. Best thing to do is call the hospital and ask them about their nurse intern program. Some hospitals will take you as soon as you start school and others make you wait until you are within a year of graduating.

Good luck with whatever you do.