Question about employers paying for school??

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Hello,, I have a question... I am applying to a Family Nurse Practitioner Program... (I haven't been blessed enough to be accepted yet, but am praying)... My question is.. If you accept your employer to help with the cost of school... what kind of contract do you sign.. how do you know what they will pay once finished with school.. does that have to be in the contract also...how long is the expected committment to work?? ... how in the world does one figure out what is acceptable to be paid once school is completed....committment etc... (one doesn't want to be stuck at the same place if the pay is not acceptable...)

Any comments, suggestions, would greatly be appreciated!!!!

Thank you in advance... ( I posted this in the N.P forum also.. )

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Every situation is different. I would caution you to ensure you have a written contract with the exact terms and a lot of "what ifs": what if I don't like the position, what if they don't like me, what if I leave before the term of the contract is completed?

I think when you are in school, it can sometimes be overwhelming to pick a specialty and commit to it. Also, depending on where you live, openings might be very plentiful but then again, they may be sporifice.

Talk to your friends that are involved in your state's advanced practice society and see what they recommend. Get their take on your individual situation before you commit.

Take care...

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This may sound a little stupid...but I am not a member of the states practice society yet.... do I join now??? I'm not sure how I can talk with the other N.P's or members of the society without being the member...??

Thank you for your suggestions!!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Oh yes, join now as a student. Usually you get a discounted rate yet can take advantage of all the networking.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Have you even talked with your employer to see if they are interested in funding your education? Where I live, there are plenty of FNP's and no employer has trouble hiring one if they need another on staff. Therefore, there is no reason for them to pay for anyone's education.

All the local hospitals DO offer tuition reimbursement for their staff -- but that is considered a standard benefit of employment and does not involve any obligation to pay it back, work for them after graduation, etc.

Before you make any assumptions about anything, you should find out what benefits your employers offers ... and if they are even interest in offering you any sort of special assistance to support your education.

Get the basic facts from them, then come back here and people can give you a sense of how that compares with what other employers offer ... and perhaps a few suggestions for you.

Good luck!

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I wasn't making any assumptions.. I have discussed it with them when I made the decision to apply to graduate school and they were very excited and did make the statement that they would consider paying for the cost.. I don't know where you live.. but healthcare providers, doctors/N.P.'s are very hard to come by here.. they have tried to hire N.P.'s but no luck.. Doctors as well.. so that is why they would be interested....

I am just completely new at this and have no clue what to expect, etc.. when negotiating the terms...

Anyway, I was just trying to get suggestions and a feel of what might be appropriate...

Thanks again!!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I'm sorry if my post sounded a little harsh. I didn't mean for it to. From your original post, I could not tell whether or not there was even a possibility that your employer would pay for your education. Where I live, there are so many FNP's and PNP's that they have trouble finding decent jobs.

Staff nurses, however, are in short supply ... and hospitals will pay for a year of an entry-level program for a payback of about 18 months of service committment after graduation.

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I probably wasn't clear enough in my first post... so I hope I cleared exactly what I was asking... thank you for your input!! I do appreciate any input, advice, suggestions, comments a lot!!!!

Thanks again..

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