Tuition Assistance (aka Contract?)

[green34]

Ok, so I am mixed about it. I am fine with my ADN and I think I may use some for my BSN. However, I've heard horror stories of nurses who view it as signing their lives away. Usually it's where your work pays part of your schooling and you work for them for so many years. My work it is 3 along with the competitor. It also is 3 years after you finish school meaning I quit at 2.5 years or get fired, I owe them all the money.

So any experiences?

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

My school does tuition reimbursement up to $4000 a calendar year. The beauty of it is there is no contract to sign and no required years of service when I'm done. They see the time I am working for them now, while I'm in school as years of service. Think about this though, you are guaranteed a job when you graduate. The job market is tough right now. If you don't like the floor or unit you are in, you can transfer somewhere else.

[HippyDippyLPN]

The only thing I struggle with signing on the dotted line is once I enter the core day program (no other option only days is offered) my job may be unable to accommodate me work 1-2 days because we are a small clinic but in a huge system. I will have to resign if they do not work with me and I wonder what would happen them

Because they reimburse as you go. There are only so many places you can put an LPN too so I have no idea if they would move me to a PRN at another location till I get my RN. I have to call dreaded HR but other than this scenario I think one would be crazy not to sign a contract, unless of course you plan to move.

[Kimynurse]

I'm doing this now, I'm a LPN my job is suing for RN everything but, books and uniforms.

I need to give back four years, in that time I will gain tons of experience, and my BSN. I do love where I work. I would not do it if I didn't.

Also in this job market, I will have a job!

[Kimynurse]

Paying

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Also in this job market, I will have a job!

This pretty much sums it up.

[ambitiousBSN]

Also in this job market, I will have a job!

I'm using tuition assistance as well for the same reason. I work at a major institution and I'm confident that following earning my BSN that I will be placed on a unit. The contract stipulations aren't bad- usually they just require you to earn certain grades, keep a minimum GPA, and give you a specific service payback. I don't look at it as "signing my life away," mainly because I'm already working at my dream hospital.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

my facility will REIMBURSE each semester, after you turn in your grades to HR. The rate is fixed by the prevailing state university rates, regardless of which school you attent (even online). Part time employees receive a lesser rate.

New graduate nurses who have not been our employees get reimbursed for their last semester, as a sign-on bonus. But it is not paid out till they have been here 6 months.