Published Jun 1, 2008
noviciate
58 Posts
In regard to tuition reimbursement, is the benefit available immediately, or are you required to wait a specific time frame before utilizing it?
What hospitals in and around the Chicago or north suburbs support additional education for their nurses? I will be practicing as a Patient Care Technician.
Thanks!
Novi
2011NursingStudent
346 Posts
I was wondering the same thing. And if you work part time as a CNA, do you get any tuition reimbursement? Like prorated? Or none unless you work 40 hrs?
ViolettaCCU, MSN
141 Posts
I think it really depends upon the hospital, and, usually it involves benefit eligible positions (usually full time or 30+ hrs/week). I know that in my neck of the woods, Lake Forest Hosp, Midwestern Regional Medical Center and Kenosha Medical Center Campus do it that way. Once you are hired for more hours as an RN, all of them offer tuition reimbursement (and sometimes even classes at their site) and you are eligible for it as soon as you establish working. Best thing to do is to check with each hospital's Human Resources Dept. Hope this helps!
llg, PhD, RN
13,469 Posts
It does depend on the particular hospital. It's common for you to have to meet some requirements to be eligible. In my current hospital (not in Chicagoland), you need to be an employee for 6 months to be eligible. Full time employees get a certain amount, and part time employees are eligible for half that amount. People who work only "per diem" or "PRN" are not eligible.
Thank you all for responding.
Is anyone aware of the specific tuition benefits at:
Northwestern Memorial
University of Chicago
Advocate Illinois Masonic
chellebelle
21 Posts
I'm a nurse at UofC, and swear that 80% of the people I work with are getting reimbursement for nursing degrees, right down to the secretaries. Full time employees in the patient care area (NSAs, lab techs, secretaries) get 100% tuition reimbursement for RN associate, dimploma, or BSN. We have a co-op program with the city colleges of chicago, and some classes are offered on-site. Benefit is available after the probation period (4 months employment) and is 50% for part-time (24hr).
spinetilt
12 Posts
I'm just curious how your co-workers manage to work full-time and have time forschool? Any ideas? I'm kind of stuck because I need to work while I go to school due to financial obligations. I'm an adult with a mortgage and car payment so I can't just sponge off of anyone while I go to school. Any idea?
We work 12s! It's not hard to work 3 12s and go to school, full or part time, depending on your lifestyle. Also, the environment is really supportive of education-textbooks litter the breakroom and we constantly give each other homework help. Yesterday I spent an hour helping our secretary study for a statistics test. Its definitely not easy but I guess we just make it work.
Very interesting. I am trying to find a way to work and go to nursing school. I wonder if I should look into getting a job at UofC..... Can I email you?
starbin, BSN, RN
406 Posts
Working full-time and studying full-time is manageable. Last two semesters, I worked Full-time, and took 15 credits each semesters. Not to my surprise, I have a GPA 4.0. I took all the classes online, cut most of my social time, many of outings and parties, and less phone calls. Had my husband cook dinner, or grab something from the chinese.
Most of the courses are offered online these days. Online classes are very convenient. I work 3 days/wk, 12 hrs/day. I have four days for study, socialization, and other stuff. I love shopping, but I compromised a little bit in that too. The only thing I could not compromise was my work. I needed those hours and the money. I enjoyed the study a lot, and it paid me back.
Good luck with your study, you will be able to manage it too.
kinajp
24 Posts
Hey guys,
I haven't posted on here in 2 years, so I guess now is the time!:wink2:
Working full-time while in nursing school can be done. Yes, it will be stressful, but like Starbin said, it is manageable. I worked full-time while in undergraduate. Granted I really didn't have a social life but it was all for the best. Now I worked 3 12hr shifts and will continue to work once I start my MSN program Jan. '09. I too have a mortgage, car note, credit cards, as well as HUSBAND to cater to:yawn:...very exhausting!
Unlike most of my co-workers, I did not take the tuition reimbursement and here's why: My hospital, like most, require you to continue employment with them so many years after you complete your program. It will take me 2 years to complete my program and once I complete it, I really don't know where I will at mentally, emotionally, etc. I just don't want to have that committment.