Working for the Indian Health Service

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello!

I've been interested in working on a Native American reservation. To boot, I've discovered that in certain situations, some of my nursing school loans can be paid off in the process. I'm curious to hear about other peoples' experiences. I'm also not sure if I need to be part Native American to work in the Native American service. I'd really appreciate it if somebody could shed some light. Thanks!!

Hi there:

I do work for the IHS and have for 13+ years. I received IHS loan repayment. The funds are divided amongst all areas but the more remote or hardest to fill areas get priority. You do have to have the job before they can complete the processing of your paperwork, and it's not guaranteed. The place you work at is separate from the loan repayment process meaning they don't decide on the loan repayment recipients. So don't go to work somewhere based on that. You also have to be sure you will stay at that place for the 2 years after receiving the $$. If you leave early, you will have to pay it back, and I'm told there are stiff penalties also.

You don't have to be native american to work for IHS...I'm not. The IHS hospital I work at is on the Navajo Reservation in AZ. It's beautiful country here and much to learn and see.

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There are no psych units at the IHS in tahlequah. There is one at the city hospital.

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I live near a Cherokee reservation. I am hoping to get a job at the hospital when I finish nursing school because: 1. it pays more than anywhere else in the area and 2. I'm interested in working with diabetics.

I have wondered about the racism factor. There are some Cherokee on the reservation who don't even speak English, have electricity, etc. In the area where most of them reside, I'm told whites are not at all welcome.

I worked at an elementary school just outside the reservation with a high Cherokee population. The children were very distant, something I was not used to with primary age children.

So, those things do worry me. I have a friend who is an RN there but she is also Cherokee...

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I'm also interested in working for the IHS. I've read just about all of the posts in this forum about working for them. Curious if anyone has any other thoughts on working for the IHS as a new grad. Feel free to PM me.

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Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Respiratory,.

Hello,

I am currently in CNS school and really am praying about Chinle. I get out in May, Of course I have to test and get my license first. I have already spoken to a recruiter. She said they usually use CNS in the clinics. Can you tell me what the clinics are like?

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I worked for IHS last year and loved it! They have the Student Loan Repayment program. http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/DHPS/lrp/

Go to IHS.gov and you can search facilities. Locations: http://www.ihs.gov/index.cfm?module=AreaOffices

I worked on the Navajo reservation. Will be going back in a couple of years. Miss it.

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Two questions...

1. Are you supposed to apply for the IHS loan repayment program while you're still in school? I'm pre-nursing; just got accepted to a BSN/MSN FNP program.

2. What's the best way to demonstrate my interest in working with IHS and American Indian populations if I'm going to attend school on the East Coast in an urban area with a very low American Indian population?

Thanks!

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