Will hopsitals pay for nursing school?

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I live in Oak Ridge, TN and want to go to nursing school but dont have the money. I have heard that hospitals will pay for you to go to school if you sign a contract to work for then after you graduate. Does anyone know if this is true and if it is where can I get info on the program?

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Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

I signed a contract three years ago, when I was just starting my nursing program. They paid my tuition in full in exchange for 4 years of work after graduation and licensure. Unfortunately this program has been suspended due to the poor economy. Now, if these programs still exist, they're open only to people already working for the hospital as techs or RN-ADNs who want to go back to school for a BSN. You may be able to find one if you dig deep enough and are willing to relocate, but I wouldn't expect to find much. You'd probably be better off getting student loans or applying for scholarships.

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I am in a program like that now. Pays for tuition, books, stipened each week of school, a job while in school and a 3 yr contract after graduation. You should look at your local hospitals on their websites. Like a previous post stated...it might be hard finding a program that is still open due to the economy...hope they don't suspend mine! Good luck!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

contact the hospital and ask. thats the best way.

we have a program like that at our school. at this point id give a kidney in exchange for tuition money. cuz its a lot of $$ i dont have hehe.

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I have looked aty all my reigonal hospitals. None have anything like that on the websites. I have even called the program directors at a few of them and they never answer or return my calls... I think I will have to get loans... Which is bad.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The hospitals here in DFW used to do it all the time. Now, not so much. One hospital I know of still does it, for a maximum of 10 students per year and it is very competitive with a big application process, personality test, panel interview - the works. I was a fortunate recipient of this and am enjoying having the funds to get through school that way. THey also only open their externships up to the recipients of this "scholarship", which is what they call it and they get hiring preference for all internships after grad.

The days of free education for nursing students and big hiring perks are pretty much gone. There are a few still out there but not many.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

It depends where you are, and whether there is a regional glut or deficit of nurses. Around me, lots of hospitals have done away with the tuition reimbursement programs or have made the conditions a lot more stringent in order to improve their budgets. In places with fewer nurses to go around, many hospitals still have this program.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

the hospitals around here do, but they don't advertise it on their webpages, it's up to the person needing help to do the leg work and make the phone calls, good luck and keep trying.

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Be very careful should you find a program. Many that have signed these agreements are not being offered positions once they graduate, but the assistance then turns into a loan that must be repaid, job or no job. Bad ding to your credit if you start out with a defaulted "loan".

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.
Be very careful should you find a program. Many that have signed these agreements are not being offered positions once they graduate, but the assistance then turns into a loan that must be repaid, job or no job. Bad ding to your credit if you start out with a defaulted "loan".

Make very sure to read the fine print, one facility paid for my school, but failed to hire me or even grant an interview, then came back later to say it was a "loan" luckily I made sure it was not worded as such and provided proof that I did apply for several positions. now I'm glad it turned out that way as the other facility goes through nurses like water, they hire then fire to suit census.

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Another thing to consider is that facilities that have good reputations and are desirable places to work are less inclined to resort to recruiting ploys as they have all the applicants they require, good, bad, or indifferent economy. Any employer that offers bonuses or incentives of any kind bears looking at with a sharp eye. A two year commitment can be eternity if it turns out to be the job from hell. If you are fired before the two years are up, for example, you would have a bad beginning to your career as well as unpaid monies that they will want to be repaid.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yep, I wouldn't do it if you can't just flat out pay the money back if it is a bad situation to be honest. Mine does come with the two year work agreement. For me, I will just write them a check if it turns out to be a bad fit or if I get a better opportunity elsewhere. Not everyone has that luxury unfortunately. Not fun being stuck.

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