This is probably one of the least-known resources in the nursing profession, and it's right there under your nose! Did you know that most hospitals offer some type of tuition reimbursement and/ or scholarship program? The purpose of this is clear-- they want you to become loyal to them while you're still in school, so they'll pay for part of your education in exchange for a work commitment because it's cheaper for them than going out and advertising for/ hiring/ training a whole new nurse. Makes sense, right?
The challenge for you is to find a hospital that offers a program like this that a) is near enough to your nursing program that you can take advantage of it, and b) that you like enough to stay there for two or three or four years following your nursing education. This is no problem for most people, as they're just happy to have the money and the on-the-job training. Pretty great, right?
So-- where do you look for programs like this? There are several places for you to start.
1. The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future has a searchable database of hospital programs, including tuition reimbursement and continuing education. Search for nursing school grants now.
2. Search the American Hospital Association Hospital Finder, and start calling the hospitals in your area New programs (such as tuition reimbursement for hospital employees) are being added to hospitals all the time, and hospitals don't always have the time (or the knowledge) to properly promote these programs. There could be money you don't even know about sitting at a hospital right down the street!
3. Ask your (nursing specific) financial aid office, specifically about hospital partnerships. They will know of hospitals that specifically offer funds in exchange for work commitments.
