Want to work in hospital to continue education but have a bachelor in something else

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I have a bachelor but want to make a career change. I want to start as a CNA in a hospital(most likely in Florida) and join their continued education program to get a degree in nursing eventually. I don't mind if it requires some years of service. I want to know if anyone has joined(or have any information on the subject) a hospital's continued education while already having a degree? Is what I am asking possible? Thank you in advance.

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To find this out, you would really need to contact the human resources department of the facility you are interested in working for.

Some key points to ask about are if they have a program, if there are stipulations as to where you can attend school, how long do you have to be employed to be eligible, will you be guaranteed a job after graduation in the field you have studied for, and what happens if you quit or are fired before the terms of the program are completed.

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Specializes in ICU.

What are you asking? That you go work at a hospital as a CNA and the pay for your nursing degree? It's not continuing education. A CNA is not a nurse. They are separate things.

You would need to find a college that has nursing programs and obtain a nursing diploma or degree depending on what type of nurse you would like to become.

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Thanks, I'll do that when I get the chance sadiemae.

no heather, hospitals have continued educations for its employees. Not just for nursing either. You don't have to pay anything just work there a number of years. Or it can be something else.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
Thanks, I'll do that when I get the chance sadiemae.

no heather, hospitals have continued educations for its employees. Not just for nursing either. You don't have to pay anything just work there a number of years. Or it can be something else.

No not usually which is why heather is asking what you are trying to figure out. Hospitals continuing Ed department usually are for new employees orientation Cpr, acls, tncc, pals or other training or certifications needed by employees to maintain licenses or other certifications. Some may offer tuition reimbursement for full time employees but I have never worked at a hospital or heard of any in almost 40 years as a nurse that will send you to nursing school on their dime. Have you contacted any local hospitals?

You can't "join" the continuing education department.

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No not usually which is why heather is asking what you are trying to figure out. Hospitals continuing Ed department usually are for Cpr, acls, tncc, pals or other training or certifications needed by employees to maintain licenses or other certifications. Some may offer tuition reimbursement for full time employees but I have never worked at a hospital or heard of any in almost 40 years as a nurse that will send you to nursing school on their dime. Have you contacted any local hospitals?

You can't "join" the continuing education department.

My mother worked as aCNA and her hospital helped her get a degree. Didn't have to spend anything. She's been at that hospital for some time. On some hospitals website they have a section called "continued education". It's a prossess they don't fully explain online but basically says they will help you with it. There are requirements of course but nothing to make you struggle or go broke.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Ok then why don't you go ahead & do what your mom did & "join"? Keep us posted & good luck.

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She didn't go in with a degree like I have. I already asked her and know what her hospital does with a person that already has a degree. They still help but to an extent, which I don't mind. but, I'm planning on moving in with my fiancé in a different state. I was wondering if anyone else has seen or experienced what I'm asking while I do some checking around as well. When I get my answer I'll post it no problem.

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I think you are referring to tuition reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement may or may not be part of the benefits package that is offered to employees at a hospital or nursing home. You'll have to ask the human resources department if they offer this benefit. Often times they will reimburse you for one class per semester as long as you get above a B, though it's different for every hospital. It would take along time to complete a program with your employer paying for only one class a semester, so most people get financial aid to cover the rest.

Continuing education in a hospital is usually the in-services that you have to attend when you work at a hospital. For instance, they may have a hand-washing in-service. It's usually an hour class and you're required to attend, but it doesn't give you college credits.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

I think what OP is actually asking about is hospitals that offer tuition assistance? OP is this what you are looking for - an employer that pays all or portion of your nursing education at an accredited program not run by the hospital?

If this is what you are asking then yes, there are hospitals which offer tuition assistance to employees who wish to grow skills that are related to their healthcare profession. I'm not in Florida so I can't speak to the hospitals there. A couple local hospitals offer this incentive to employees. However read the fine print - in order to qualify for tuition assistance from my employer I must be an employee in good standing of at least 12 months employment, assistance is pro-rated based on FTE and employees must maintain at least half-time status while going to school in order to qualify for assistance. I will need to provide my transcript to my employer at the end of each quarter showing minimum grade point standing (a 3.0 I think) in order for reimbursement of all/partial tuition (I'm still responsible for paying upfront costs). At least this is my understanding of how the system works for my employer, I haven't gone through the process yet.

Other hospitals may offer different schemes. I know of another one which will offer tuition assistance up to a certain dollar amount in exchange for the new grad signing a two year contract to work for the hospital. (In more or less whatever position/shift is available when they graduate).

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Specializes in ICU.

Yes some do offer tuition reimbursement as others have said. they have accelerated BSN ( bachelor of science in nursing) that is 1-2 years and only covers the nursing classes if you already have a bachelors.

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The OP might also be talking about a special program for an under-served area. I could imagine a hospital or nursing home who has trouble getting qualified RNs actually might offer some kind of nursing education program for their CNA's to become LPNs or RNs. I don't know of any, but I could see where this could happen. I think one of the problems the OP is encountering when looking for this type of program is a difference in vocabulary. "Continuing Education" to most people in health care means in-services, conferences, and an occasional college class. I think the type of program you are referring to would be called something else. Even if you can't find the exact type of program you are thinking of, if you are interested in nursing, working as a CNA while applying to nursing schools would also be a good path to take, if you choose to do so. It's always good to have healthcare experience and to make contacts in the career you are planning to go into. Even if you already have a degree, there are loans, grants, and scholarships available to help finance your education.

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