Scholarship Program at Citrus Memorial

Citrus Memorial Health System offers a scholarship program to assist employees and non-employees who wish to continue or upgrade their education while maintaining their employment with the hospital, both during schooling and after its completion.
Eligibility for a scholarship is limited to the following programs:

1. LPN
2. RN
3. Radiologic Technologist

Scholarships can be obtained for these programs at Central Florida Community College, Lake-Sumter Community College, Pasco-Hernando Community College and Marion County School of Radiologic Technology.

Scholarships will be paid directly to the school or program indicated by the recipient upon satisfactory evidence of acceptance. The award will be applied to the registration fees, tuition fees, textbooks and corresponding lab fees. The following fees are not included as a part of the scholarship: uniforms, course equipment or supplies, campus parking fees, graduation fees, or software. Citrus Memorial Health System will pay for the NCLEX exam as well as RN endorsement/LPN endorsement.
Applications must be completed and submitted to Human Resources.

All non-employee scholarship applications will be reviewed and candidates will be scheduled for an interview with the Chief Nursing Officer.

Past employee performance, input from employee’s current manager, and past counseling/attendance issues will all be considered in determining whether an employee is awarded a scholarship. Past job performance/history, reference checks and criminal background checks will be completed and reviewed by Human Resources prior to scheduling an interview with the Chief Nursing Officer.

While enrolled in an approved scholarship program an employee may change his/her status to a temporary part-time status. While in this status, an employee may be scheduled to work up to thirty-two (32) hours a pay period. However, an employee must work a minimum of sixteen (16) hours a pay period. In addition, the employee must be available to work additional hours during school breaks/holidays (ex. Spring break, Christmas break, and breaks between semesters). Work hours may be adjusted based on necessary school requirements but is subject to the approval of the Director of Human Resources and the appropriate division director or vice-president.

A temporary part-time employee continues to be eligible for health insurance at the same rate he or she had at their previous status. A temporary part-time employee will retain all (if any) PDOs/disability hours already accrued to which he or she may be entitled to use with the approval of the department manager. While in this status the employee will retain his or her original anniversary date as long as he or she remains temporary status.

Employees must maintain a “B” average in order to continue in the scholarship program.

Employees will be required to sign an agreement stating he/she agrees to work for Citrus Memorial Health System following licensure. One year as full time status will be required for LPNs and Radiologic Technologists. Two years as full time status will be required for RNs. Employees who voluntarily leave or are terminated before completing their obligation will be responsible for reimbursing the hospital.

Pre-requisites are not included for any scholarship program. Pre-requisites may qualify for Tuition Reimbursement. Please see policy P-305 for details.

The process for applying for a scholarship is as follows:

• Complete a scholarship application (can be obtained in Human Resources). Attach a copy of your acceptance letter from your chosen program. For non-employees, an employment application and release forms must be completed.
• The application will be reviewed and non-employee candidates will be scheduled for an interview with the Vice-President of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer. Scholarship decisions for employee candidates will be made in conjunction with input from their managers and a review of their employment file.
• Scholarship recipients will be notified by mail of their acceptance.
• RN scholarship recipients are required to sign a two-year full-time contract with CMH. LPN scholarship recipients and Radiologic Technologist scholarship recipients are required to make a one-year full-time employment contract. The
  contract employment period begins upon receipt of professional licensure.
• Scholarship recipients are required to submit a source schedule and grades for each semester to ensure continued funding.