Question ...Is This A Good Thing Or Not

MPHkatie · May 13, 2002

Find out if there are penalties if you decide not to work for them. Sometimes all you would have to do is pay it back as a loan.

I did a similar somewhat more flexible program where I got a grant and for each year I got the grant I had to work in the state. They are not bad programs, you just have to want to stay put - so if you aren't going to move, probably it's a good deal for you.

angelac1978 · May 13, 2002

I would also think long and hard about having to work 12hr shifts Saturday and Sunday and then going to school all week long. I work 8 hr shifts both days and go to school during the week, and it can be rough(thats not even working in a hospital, its just doing data entry!) You certainly don't want to get burned out just as you start!

joannep · May 13, 2002

It sounds like a very good opportunity if it suits both you and your hubby.

Are you going to be happy working on Saturday and Sunday?

Is your hubby going to be happy being the main care giver every weekend?

Having said that, I worked Saturday & Sunday for years with my hubby happy to be the main caregiver on weekends, but I often felt left out when they told me the fun they had been up to when I had been at work. However, I didn't feel totally divorced from them. The upside has been the great bonding my hubby and children have.

When you have other commitments, financial support is very important, but you both have to be commited to the program.

I think it sounds great, good luck.

fedupnurse · May 13, 2002

Hey Brenda,

I sent you an e-mail. I know alot about where you are talking about and would be happy to help you out.

delirium · May 13, 2002

Brenda:

I have a similar program at a hospital here, except I don't have to work for them while in school, just afterward. (I do, for right now, but am thinking of accepting a job at the outpatient dialysis center until I finish school)

My agreement is I have to work for 30 months after graduation, or pay it back as a loan with 10% interest.

The thing for me is that this is a small hospital, and during the clinical portion of nursing I've been exposed to other, larger hospitals where the nurses have a greater role and can do more things.... and so I don't really want to work there now.

Keep in mind that there is life beyond that facility, but if you have the option to pay the money back, I think its worth it. My mental health is worth being in a facility where I'm appreciated and valued and paid a little more, than working in this hospital as an indentured servant for the 30 months following graduation.

Take care, and let us know what you decide.

Trauma Columnist · May 13, 2002

All the above posters have great advice. I can't really add anything except to say that working 12 hour shifts on the weekend is really time-consuming. Is it a day shift or nights?? If nights, look out...its hard to change back your sleep cycle!!

RNbeach, ASN, RN · May 13, 2002

Thanks to everyone who replied.. especially fedupnurse, Thx I read you email and sent you one back. I guess we are both from the same area!

I appreciate everyone's feedback, you have helped me tremendously.

Brenda

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · May 13, 2002

Another thing that might be concerning you is the commitment to the hospital after you finish school. Sometimes people just can't cope with that. Most places will have some kind of "buy out" if you need to keep your options open.

Another thing. It may seem like a long and horrible thing to do, work every weekend, 12 hr shifts. But, it's not forever and it can be really great not to have to worry about working while in class and clinicals during the week.

I found working 12 hr nights was really no worse for me than working 8 hr nights. Either way I slept poorly. At least on 12s I had to sleep poorly less often.

You can do most anything if you know it isn't forever.

Good Luck.

lalaxton · May 14, 2002

When I went back to school for my MSN I went to school full time and worked 3 - 12 hour shifts (Fri,Sat,Sun) every weekend for 2 years! (My choice, not an offer from my hospital although they did help with tuition without a commitment for further time from me) It was hard on the family but they all did their share knowing that in the long run they would be sharing in the benefits. It was not easy for me either but worth it in the end. I have a job that I love and am making twice what I used to make.

After graduation, I was standing with my family when one of my professors came over and asked me if I was going to go on and get my Phd. My then 10 year old son overheard and said, "Oh, mom, no more school please!!"

RNbeach, ASN, RN · May 14, 2002

Thank you for your comments Joannep! There were words of encouragement there. That's what I keep telling myself that It's a sacrifice now, but in the long run my family will benefit from this.

Anyhow.... I will have to apply for the Offer program next fall. I am not able to start the nursing program till Fall 2003. In the meantime I will continue to work on my pre-requisites.

Thanks again to everybody who has responded.

I love these boards!

Brenda

ohbet · May 14, 2002

I was a CNA for 6 years at one hospital,then I decided to go to nursing school,the hospital paid for the books and tuition,I owed them 2 years,which I completed. The program was called "upward mobility" and Im glad I did it.

The only draw back was the hospital was mostly a LTC facility so I missed out on alot of different types of patients that I would have other wise been exposed to if I had worked Med. Surg. Oh well