Tuition for Contract?

Mexarican · Jan 18, 2009

for me it all depends on how much for the three years...?? What is the reputation of the facility?? will you be allowed to apply for any position like other new grads?? What are you goals and does three year committment fit in your timetable??

MEx

psySins · Jan 18, 2009

hi, i can say that i can relate to what you have posted. i am taking up BSN course here in the Philippines and it is my 4th and last year in the course. when i was in my 2nd year we had a financial problem which placed my studies in jeopardy. i am not supposed to enroll in the 2nd semester but suddenly due to my good performance, my Clinical instructors and classmates helped me to get back to school. luckily, the partner hospital of my school offered me a scholarship and until now, they are the one who supports my studies. actually it is a secret scholarship, and i am proud that i was the first student to be granted. this time, we are two in the scholarship. the other one is a third year student. at last i am graduating this march of 2009. in return, the board members of the hospital told me that i have to work in their Hospital for about 3-4 years. i am still thinking if i will agree to it because i wanted to work abroad as soon as i completed my job experience. i am also thinking if i will receive a good salary. but surely after i passed the local board exam here in the Philippines, i will spend my first two years in that hospital and it already depends if i will make it to 3 or 4 years more because i am thinking if the board members will allow me to stay only for 2-3 years and continue it after working abroad.

Kevin RN08 · Jan 18, 2009

Mex's answer is the bottom line.

For me I thought about it and chose against it, I am retired from the Navy and wasn't too high on the idea of signing an employment contract. Additionally, in my area the diploma programs provide this option and you are expected to put in X number of hours (outside of clinical) working on the floors from my understanding. Plus, your position is one of those "needs of the hospital" situations where you may be assigned to any hard to fill jobs.

One hospital offers "employment scholarships" for second level students, but at that point you've gotten accustomed to your budget and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. So at that point you can forego the "scholarship" and pick your position and hospital and use any signing bonus to pay down your debt.

On the other hand, you'll be most assured a job following graduation.

But I've heard the tuition rate you are responsible for if unsuccessful is outrageous (triple the CC rate).

swimincatz · Jan 19, 2009

I asked the scholarship board if I would get to choose the facility and hospital area in which I would work if I were to receive this scholarship ... I was told that the student meets with a board and they decide together what would best fit you... but to me that's a nice way of saying we're going to put you where ever we need you. I'd really like to get in touch with someone who has this scholarship. Anyone out there in the University of Miami Nursing Scholars Program? Thanks for everyone's response! I definitley have some thinking to do! :confused:

Mexarican · Jan 19, 2009

I can't remember how the University of Miami Scholar's progrma works...but that sounds to me like a program to fill their areas of need...

Mex

TCM1 · Jan 20, 2009

Hello, I was interested in taking an accelerated bsn program in the USA in the near future, and it occurred to me to ask if...

1. Any Canadians out there doing the same and where?

2. Any Canadians who have completed their studies and if and where they are working?

3. ...Has anyone looked for or been given an opportunity to have their schooling paid by a hospital in return to work?

4. Was getting a position in the USA easy, and how did you go about it?

Thank you!

alibell254 · Feb 2, 2009

Swimincatz, Hey...it seems that we are both searching for the same answers here. Did you ever find someone who was in the Nursing Scholars Program? I know I feel the same way as you. I want to apply for the scholarship, but I'm a little hesitant b/c I don't want to be stuck for 3 years in a position that I don't like. I don't even know how many applicants are actually selected and awarded the scholarship either, do you? Thanks for any info you may have.

WorkingTowards2011 · Feb 2, 2009

I live in AL and I have a scholarship that pays full tuition, including fees, books, and uniforms. In exchange, I have to work 3 years at the facility that granted my award. I am still in school and therefore I cannot tell you how it will be for me after graduation. However, I asked the facility if I would be automatically placed in a position of the facilities choice, or if I would get to choose. They told me that I would get to apply for any opening within the facility that I desired, just like any other employee. They said that they were not going to place me somewhere that I would not be happy, because they wanted their employees to be satisfied where they are working and stay beyond the three years. I was happy with that response.

I also have the benefit of having clinical instructors from that facility, and I will do all my clinicals there also. I think that this will give me more of an advantage as I will be very familiar with the place and people where I will be working one day. I am already considered an "employee" of the hospital, since they are paying my tuition, and therefore I will get the "5 year" perks after 3 years of actually working there, including an increase in pay and days off per year. I also have first priority in the "student pool" to be asked to work small shifts while I am in school, which I am excited about. (I can't start working there until my first round of clinicals is over.)

I have found many perks to the scholarship. I am also excited about coming out of nursing school as an rn with absolutely NO student loans to pay off. That will be wonderful!

That being said, I am very happy that I chose to apply for the scholarship. However, I am not sure if i would have taken the scholarship if "the board" got to place me wherever they wanted. Is it a financial neccessity that you have help from school? have you thought about student loans, grants, or other scholarship opportunities? Are there any people that have accepted the scholarship and are working at the hospital now that can tell you how they like it?

swimincatz · Feb 2, 2009

Alibell,

I still haven't found anyone who has recieved the scholarship. At this point I'm leaning away from it... I really want to go into ICU or ER and those aren't even choices for the scholarship recipients. I want to go back to school for my master's after a few years and don't want to be tied down in a position I'm not interested in. I do remember reading in a post by a former student that if you plan on applying for the scholarship you must have all of your papers in EARLY (I think he said they had scholarship interviews on the day of orientation and half the students thought they had more time) They only have so many scholarships and as you can imagine they run out fast. I'm still debating on what to do but many hospitals do offer some sort of tuition/loan repayment plan once you start working for them. Good luck!

WorkingTowards2011 · Feb 3, 2009

It sounds to me like the scholarship would not be a good thing for you. If the areas you want to specialize in aren't even an option, then chances are you will be unhappy for as long as you are stuck there working off your scholarship. And you don't want anything to stand in the way of getting your master's either. I would pass, if I were in your situation.