Sign a contract??? Help

[nurseypie]

Hi everyone! I'm new here!

I just finished my first semester of nursing school.

My school offers a program, after you complete your first semester, where essentially your tuition is waived if you work for them for three years. It sounds peachy, but there are pros and cons.

Pros: tuition waived, duh. almost guaranteed job (if they can't offer one, you don't owe them anything, but are SOL on a job fresh out), a great opportunity for experience, most of my clinical hours are done there so I will know the gist of things. Cons: they don't pay for books/supplies, tuition is only around 3 grand a semester, the hospital has no units/specialty that I want to work in.

Now what I'm about to say, might sound... childish, but it's how I feel. I have so desperately wanted to get out of my small town and growing up, I knew that with what I wanted to do, Nursing, it was so very possible for me to follow my dreams and still get to save lives (win, win). Signing this contract would keep me here for another three years and I'm afraid by then I'll be old and crusty and just be stuck forever (I'll be 25 which to me sounds like ancient). I have also always wanted to work in a trauma unit, this hospital does not have that, buuuut, the chances of me, as a new hire, getting hired at a trauma unit are slim to none (I think). I know this opportunity is a blessing and I am thankful, I just don't know if it's completely for me.

Should I keep taking out loans to keep my "freedom" or should I sign and make the most of the blessing I do have? I'm open to all opinions and I want your advice! I'm like the newest newbie ever so I need it.

[Nunya, BSN]

I would certainly want to know more about the hospital and what it's like to work there before I commit to three years. And what's the pay, PTO etc there compared to other area hospitals? No, you won't get into a trauma unit immediately post graduation, but you will certainly find a med surg job which is step one. What if they put you in OB at that hospital? I think you need lots more info.

[kp2016]

10 hours ago, nurseypie said:

work for them for three years

the hospital has no units/specialty that I want to work in.

I have so desperately wanted to get out of my small town and growing up, I knew that with what I wanted to do, Nursing, it was so very possible for me to follow my dreams and still get to save lives (win, win).

I have also always wanted to work in a trauma unit, this hospital does not have that

Sometimes it can be hard to see the forest for the trees, so I've removed a heap of trees for you.

I'm normally against running up huge student loan bills, but honestly the fees at your school sound very manageable. I personally would not tie myself for three years to a hospital with limited opportunities for transfer to my goal unit especially if it were in a place I desperately wanted to leave.

I would personally pay my own tuition and be free to apply to hospitals / units I really want to work on in places I actually want to live. For the record I have turned down multiple sign on bonuses over the years because I did not wish to end up tied to a job I hated and wished I was free to walk away from.

Best of luck!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

10 hours ago, Elaine M said:

And what's the pay, PTO etc there compared to other area hospitals?

That is a very good point. Another hospital may start you out at a higher pay and/or better benefits that may outweigh the tuition reimbursement.