starbrite471

Thanks, Natalie!

The WHC contract reads as if you only receive a loan after you complete the program and become employed with the hospital. Did anyone else interpret that fact? I could be wrong, but that's what it seems to imply, not a tuition credit each semester. What do others think?

Is there anyone else out there that is confused by the WHC "loan forgiveness agreement"?

Anyone got the scoop on what is going on with the WHC contracts? I heard they are "reviewing" them. Makes one wander if something has happened now that the first class of scholars has graduated.

Both schools are private, therefore pricey. The employment climate where I live is somewhat tight for new grads, although I'm not sure how it compares to the national average. I'm still leaning towards School A b/c of guaranteed employment, but I wander if the market for new grads in general is getting better, or the same? It's hard to keep a pulse on it.

Folks, I'm a pre-ABSN student that has to make a decision soon between two schools. I'm going to lay out my situation and see if anyone would like to offer their insights. Here goes: I have a very strong interest in working in psych after graduation, and I'm fairly sure nursing school won't change that. In other words, I know what I want. School A offers a work scholarship for the majority of the tuition IF you work for their partner school for 3 years after graduation. If you leave before 3 years, you pay back a prorated amount of the tuition based on your length of employment. The downside is that the hospital only has one "medical/behavioral health" unit (emphasis more on the medical). Although I'd be guaranteed a job at the hospital, I wouldn't necessarily be guaranteed one on that unit. School B doesn't offer a work scholarship, but the psych clinicals are at one of the nation's top psychiatric hospital, so you'd supposedly learn from one of the best. Psych clinicals at School A aren't that great, according to what I've been told. My heart is drawn towards School B, but I find it too tough to turn down School A given the challening environment for new grads now. So, I'm leaning towards playing it safe with School A, but somtimes I tell myself I should take a chance with School B and pray that the job market is better once I graduate. What are your thoughts? Appreciate the feedback! Always helps to get the perspectives from people actually in the field.

Overall, I was impressed by Gtown and WHC on interview day. On my tour we ran into a cohort at the hospital that said although they liked the program and that they would do it all over again, they all agreed that Gtown as a whole is "disorganized." Any thoughts on this? Also, can anyone speak about the mental health rotations at WHC? I've heard mixed feelings about mental health at WHC and opportunities to work in that area.

I have a question that I was afraid to ask during the interview day.... For the WHC scholarship, does anyone know the details on what happens if you don't end up completing the entire 3-yr. committment? I've heard there is a payback arrangement in place, but does anyone know specifically how it works? Is it a straight deal, like if you leave after 1 yr. you'd pay back 2/3 of the tuition, after 2 yrs, 1/3, etc.? Or is there a more stringent "penalty" for leaving earlier? For me, I think the scholarship is a fantastic deal, but I'm unsure if WHC offers ample opportunities for the area I'm interested in, and I don't know how unhappy I'd be working 3 years in another area that is not my "passion." Thanks!