Should I sign a contract with my hospital to pay for school?

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Specializes in telemetry/med surg.

Hi all! I found out I was accepted into the LVN program starting in January. I currently work at the hospital as a pbx operator. They do offer a contract where they will pay for the program for two years of work. My dilemma is this. I don't really care for this hospital (even though I have worked here two years) in the way they do things. They are way more concerned about money than the patients. The only reason I have stayed this long is because I can do my homework at work, and there is not many places you can do that. BUT, I have been hearing over and over again that its going to be hard to get a job as an LVN right out of school. With that in mind, if I sign a contract through them, even if this might not be my job of choice, that would ensure me a job, correct? I don't have to have them pay, as I qualified for full assistance, but I am just trying to decide if it would be a good thing to make sure I have a job. I am going on for my RN just as soon as I finish LVN, as I already have the prereqs done for that. Just really trying to decide what to do. Any thoughts appreciated :yeah::confused:

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What are the rules and penalties for signing the contract and then either: leaving before the end of two years, or not taking a job with them at all?

Where I am the hospital allows us to sign a unilateral contract. They have the obligation to give us a job and over 3 years they reimburse us for our tuition (pro-rated). However, we have no obligation to take a job with them.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Be sure to ask the following questions...and get all of the answers in writing:

* Will I get to choose my department upon graduation?

* What happens if I don't get offered a job upon graduation? Is the money forgiven or do I still have to pay it back (this is important).

* If I get involuntarily terminated (laid off...very different from getting fired for cause)...do I still have to pay this back?

There were several students in my class that were not offered jobs after graduation...and they were shocked to find out that the hospital sent them a bill for their tuition after graduation...that was a huge amount of stress to deal with especially when you need to concentrate on the NCLEX.

MOST hospitals will not guarantee you the department of choice.

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Specializes in telemetry/med surg.

boy that makes for a hard decision! I reallly am up in the air then. I mean, as a new graduate, will I be desperate and just take whatever comes along?? If thats the case, it wouldnt matter if I stayed with the hospital and didnt get the department of choice. BUT I have really been thinking of working at a LTC facility here in my area that hires lots of LVNS, and just working PRN for the experience while I am still in school for RN. I just worry that by the time I finish the LVN (next december) what if the LTC is no longer hiring LVNs at that time? I mean, I guess experience is experience, so even if I did get a department at the hospital that I hated and didnt really like, it would still help me maybe to at least try it. I just have to make a decision soon, as I have to have my paperwork turned in in about 30 days.

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I think the first step is to, as we've inferred here, get more information, preferably in writing, so you can make an informed decision about the contract you would be signing. What is each parties responsibilities and obligations? If you have the actual contract, read it through thoroughly, then ask the person that handles these at the hospital any questions about ambiguous wording, things that aren't addressed, etc.

I'd also use the next few weeks to do some shadows at places where you are interested in working. Ask the nurses how things really are, ask questions of administration, and more importantly, get your face in front of future employers. Be that your current hospital, another hospital, LTC, or whatever. Pick two or three places/units and spend the better part of day in there with a nurse.

When you have a more complete 'picture' it might be easier to make an decision.

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Demends how much financial help you need. Usually if a hospital requires you to sign a contract, then it probably isn't an ideal place to work.

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