Could nursing tuition reimbursement help you pay for the next phase of your career? Tuition reimbursement programs can help offset the costs of nursing education, making a new degree or certification attainable. Learn more about these programs, which jobs offer them, and what education they cover.
What Is Nursing Tuition Reimbursement?
Nursing education isn’t cheap — an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can cost up to $33,000, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may swing up to $200,000. Applying for scholarships and grants for nursing school can help offset some of the costs, but is there anything else you can do to pay for your education?
Tuition reimbursement programs are offered by employers as part of a benefits package and can help pay for an additional degree, nursing certification, or training while you’re working. If you plan to work part- or full-time during nursing school, taking advantage of one of these programs could help.
What’s the difference between tuition reimbursement and loan repayment? Tuition reimbursement helps pay for new education, while loan repayment helps you pay down loans from a previous degree. For example, the Indian Health Service (IHS) offers a loan repayment program for healthcare workers who agree to work at least two years at an IHS facility with staffing needs. Learn more about student loan forgiveness for nurses.
Tuition Reimbursement Jobs for Nurses
To promote nurse retention and professional development, more and more employers are offering nursing tuition reimbursement. Nursing jobs where you may get reimbursed for education include working as a nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), advanced practice nurse (APRN), and more. They’re generally more common at acute-care facilities such as hospitals and medical centers.
Check out the tuition reimbursement programs offered by the employers below:
1. AdventHealth
Through Guild Education, AdventHealth offers a catalogue of educational resources as well as tuition reimbursement for employees. Reimbursements can cover certificates, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees. You’ll get access to over 400 programs, up to $5,250 in reimbursement, and a coach for support.
Find AdventHealth nursing jobs.
2. Advocate Health
Advocate Health runs an Aspiring Nurses Program, which provides up to $7,500 per year for full-time employees enrolled in an ADN or BSN program. You’ll need to be a full-time or part-time teammate to qualify, have been employed for at least one year, gain admission into an approved degree program leading to RN licensure, and have a gross income of $55,000/year or less.
Find Advocate Health nursing jobs.
3. Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic offers reimbursements to cover books, tuition, and challenge exams at regionally accredited colleges. You’ll need to have worked for CC for at least one year as a part- or full-time employee to qualify. Certain education providers, such as American Sentinel University and Indiana Wesleyan, even offer tuition discounts for Cleveland Clinic employees.
Find Cleveland Clinic nursing jobs.
4. CommonSpirit Health
CommonSpirit offers up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year to full-time employees. Reimbursements can be used toward nursing or work-related courses. They also have several scholarships available to aspiring nurses and partnerships with academic institutions.
Find CommonSpirit Health nursing jobs.
5. HCA Healthcare
HCA offers up to $5,250 in reimbursement annually for expenses towards higher education. They offer discounts on tuition from more than 220 accredited institutions, as well as a student loan repayment program and financial assistance coaching. Plus, their certification support program will cover test fees when you earn qualifying nursing certifications.
Find HCA Healthcare nursing jobs.
6. Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente offers up to $3,000 annually towards courses for certification, a degree, or continuing education. Enter your employee credentials to learn more about what you qualify for.
Find Kaiser Permanente nursing jobs.
What to Know Before Taking Advantage of Tuition Reimbursement
There are a few things to know before seeking out tuition reimbursement from an employer.
- Reimbursement cap: Every program has a maximum amount it will contribute for a single employee per year, and some have lifetime caps as well.
- Minimum working hours: Employers typically have a minimum number of hours you’ll need to work each week in order to qualify, and full-time employees may be eligible for more reimbursement. Per diem employees and those who have been employees for less than a year may not qualify.
- Covered education: Some employers will only help pay for certain educational activities. Tuition for a degree might be covered, but a certification fee might not be. Be sure to get clarity on what your employer will cover.
- Non-covered tuition: If you’re planning to go back to school, you’ll still likely need to pay for most of your tuition yourself. Many students take classes slowly to get as much tuition covered as possible.
- Work commitment: Some employers require a work commitment before reimbursing employees for tuition. If you do not complete the commitment, you may need to pay back some or all of the reimbursement.
- Taxes: Federal tax law requires you to pay taxes on any reimbursement amount above $5,250. Many employers cap contributions at this amount, but if you receive more, you’ll need to report it on your tax return.
To learn more about whether you might qualify for tuition reimbursement, read up on your nursing benefits package and ask your manager about education assistance.
Find Roles That Offer Nursing Tuition Reimbursement
Looking for nursing employers that offer more than just pizza parties? Credenza has roles with some of the leading healthcare organizations in the nation, so you can find what you’re looking for. Learn more about personalized job notifications that alert you to roles that fit your needs.