Tuition Reimbursement in limbo

[Nurse_Ratched]

Hello all, hoping for some advice. This may be more of a management/HR type of question. I was approved for a $3600 masters class last year. Class began in Dec & ended in March. I submitted all my paperwork, was approved, and then submitted my final grades (an "A") and everything the HR rep asked for in a timely manner and within the required 45 days of end of class. I have not heard ANYTHING from HR in 3 weeks, despite multiple emails to HR, as well as my manager and director. We just achieved Magnet status, and this kind of hurdle and poor treatment of employees only further solidifies my belief that Magnet is just another trophy title, and does not reflect how well the hospital actually supports nurses.

$3600 is not cheap for anyone, especially a nurse working through grad school. I am almost done with my 3rd class now, looking forward to registering for my 4th class, but need to know the money situation. I already took out a home equity loan to help pay for school, but this is getting ridiculous.

We are promised $5000 per calendar year (January to December) for full-time employees, so the $3600 was approved for 2014 year, and then 2015 begins anew.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Ours is notoriously horrible with reimbursement. I'd call the person that heads it up and ask. Also they will not reimburse us if we have an attendance infraction. It doesn't have anything to do with Magnet, just the people running the department.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Alas, hospitals and hospital finance departments are not of the real world. The average reimbursement time from most private insurance carriers (like the Blues) for submitted hospital bills is ... wait for it .... 18-24 months. They aren't used to fast turnaround in those departments. I'd say give them at least a month, so your bill comes up in a monthly billing cycle, and then enquire. Three weeks is not anything resembling unreasonable delay.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I have had problems with this in the past. It seems like it is easier just to pay for it yourself, rather than go thru the hassle. I agree that 3 weeks isn't that long, however. Be glad you get something; our hospital offers NOTHING for tuition, period.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Three weeks? I think you have very unrealistic expectations honestly.

[Nurse_Ratched]

I do not expect to be reimbursed in 3 weeks, I expect an answer to my email that I sent 3 weeks ago. The actual paperwork for reimbursement was submitted 2 month ago, and still no indication whether or not I will eventually be paid for this. In every email from HR they ask for additional documentation or documentation if a different format (letterhead vs. not letterhead, paid bills, final grades, etc.) I've submitted all of it several times already.

[ShantheRN, BSN, RN]

Hearing something about tuition payment in less than 3 weeks isn't realistic? Seriously? I'm not being argumentative - I'm truly surprised to read that!

My employer rocks, apparently In that amount of time, the money has usually been deposited into my account. I would keep calling HR until you get an answer. That is crazy!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I do not expect to be reimbursed in 3 weeks, I expect an answer to my email that I sent 3 weeks ago. The actual paperwork for reimbursement was submitted 2 month ago, and still no indication whether or not I will eventually be paid for this. In every email from HR they ask for additional documentation or documentation if a different format (letterhead vs. not letterhead, paid bills, final grades, etc.) I've submitted all of it several times already.

AND they go through all of this with a fine tooth comb. AND there are some things they will reimburse for, others that they will not. AND there is, I am sure some "fine language" that has some sort of something about the ability of the degree you are getting--do they need a Master's prepared nurse at this time? So then there's another cap on reimbursement because the degree you are getting may or may not be of use to the facility.

As you are now magnet status, nurses have the ability to govern themselves, get involved with and create committees, no? I would start a committee to talk about education, and to create a specific policy to prevent you and others like you from having to submit and resubmit thousands of sheets of the same thing, and wait some non-specific time for money to be reimbursed. About what they will reimburse and what they will not.

Another thought is to research a couple of things, and you could have this information available in your new committee--many high school alma mater's have scholarships available to alumni, go on the website of your old high school and see. You also can do the same of the college. There's usually a link for "alternate scholarships". Also your parent company website. Again, worth looking at.

But back to your original question. I would send another email to HR, and ask for some sort of timeline for reimbursement. CC your nurse manager, who may be able to speak with HR more readily than you can. And going forward, know that you will have a wait to be paid back, so explore other avenues for next year as well.

Best of luck!

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

Our policy states btw 1-2 pay cycles so you better believe I'm on the phone with the department after the first pay cycle! This is a benefit of your hard work for the organization get you money stat!!! ( also before they decide they are not offering reimbursement anymore lol)