What do yall think about....

menetopali · Apr 19, 2004

find out if they assign you to an area or if you just need to agree to serve in an area that is underserved and listed as such. the difference is that if they pick it, you can end up anywhere. if you pick from a list of approved sites, you can investigate places that you might want to see. there is a similar program for med school and for np school. with those you pick from an approved list that includes the desert southwest and alaska.

ava'smomRN · Apr 19, 2004

find out if they assign you to an area or if you just need to agree to serve in an area that is underserved and listed as such. the difference is that if they pick it, you can end up anywhere. if you pick from a list of approved sites, you can investigate places that you might want to see. there is a similar program for med school and for np school. with those you pick from an approved list that includes the desert southwest and alaska.

good advice, thanks!

Katnip, RN · Apr 19, 2004

I got one from the state. All I had to do was promise to work somewhere that had a shortage of nurses in the state that was not a doctor's office or HMO. They stated, in print when I signed that since there was a critical shortage in all facilities and all specialties I was free to work where I wanted.

I figured I have to work somewhere for two years.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 19, 2004

In PA, all hospitals are shortage areas this year.

Shortage areas do change from time to time, but Philly area hospitals all have nursing vacancies about 10-12% so think you should be safe applying.

Hows work at the hosipital going??

weezieRN · Apr 19, 2004

I understand it to be you can work at any of the critically short areas, ie hospitals, nursing homes, state dept of health, indian reservations etc, anything but dr offices and free standing clinics and dialysis units. I am interested also in this program. they will pay 60% of costs for 2 yrs of service and an additional 25% for a three year commitment. Will be awaiting the new application process to start this fall. Sounds ok to me, you have to work somewhere don't ya

ava'smomRN · Apr 19, 2004

NRSKaren work is going great! i thought it would be difficult but the staff is very helpful and friendly to each other. everybody helps everybody out, mostg of the aides on the floor are in nursing school so they tell me all of their horror stories and the good ones. i reallly like it there and plan to stay! thanks for asking!

nekhismom · Apr 19, 2004

Hey, Miss JKM, I think it's a good plan. I found out that working in rural areas qualifies, too. And much to my surprise, the big city I worked in before moving to Texas was classified as rural. Even with a Level I trauma center!!! So go for it.

Mantibob · Apr 19, 2004

It looks like a great program. I do not know if I will apply since, acording to the web site. only 95 out of 5000 applicants are approved. Souns like the odds are against ya. Might be eaiser to just talk to your local hospital and get a loan based on commitment to work for them once you graduate. A lota hospitals are doing this now.

Good Luck

jemommyRN · Apr 19, 2004

Go for it. I filled out my application on the day that they were available on the web, but I don't think that I'll be getting it because my EFC is so high on my FASFA and they prefer an EFC of 0. Anyway, I too was apprehesive about this at first, but to my knowledge, you can work anywhere for the two year contract since almost everything has a critical shortage. I think its a great deal because you wouldn't have to work while in nursing school with this scholarship.

amoymak · Apr 19, 2004

Hi Miss jkm,

I would go for it if I were you. A free education is hard to come by. You should however consider what the specifics are in terms of the agreement. where would they send you, would you be considered a travel or per diem nurse? will they spontaneously send you to different places or will you work in one facility? Any benefits? I just completed my RN program in January and owe over 20k in loans so it may very well be worth all the inconvenience of having to work on their terms for two years. You never know- you might actually like it. Good luck!!

Cherish · Apr 19, 2004

It is a VERY hard scholarship to get. Unless you are SUPER poor (low income) there are no chances of receiving the scholarship. They accept (first priority) low income families with an EFC of 0, (about 15% of people who apply are in this category and trust me only some of those get it!). A friend of mine received that scholarship but she didn't work for a year (mainly cause she heard about it and decided not to work to get the scholarship). If she had worked that year she would of never got that scholarship. There are programs for tuition reimbursement if you work in a hospital, or hospital groups. Some pay up to 10,000 tuition reimbursement per year while your in school getting your RN, the only thing about it is that some you have to work full time to get it (online program recipients wouldn't have a problem). Also, depends on your state but some states offer programs just like the one your talking about. Maryland has a great one with living expenses and you work 1 yr per each year you receive the grant. But then again Maryland has great scholarships for nurses in general (out of staters can come here and pay in state tuition...shhh we're supposed to keep it a secret lol).