Tucson (AZ) Medical Center (TMC) is turning several job-seeking new graduates away despite spending $10,000-$30,000 on each candidate’s education.

Prior to May 2008, the nurse-needy facility agreed to fund 27 nursing students’ college education, which in turn contracted the students to work at TMC for two years after graduation. Since then the facility has seen rising nurse retention rates and falling patient numbers due to the recession. The facility, which currently employs about 1,000 nurses, now has few entry-level positions available.

According to arizonastarnet.com, the facility interviewed the December graduates last week to determine who to hire for the limited open positions. Those who are not selected are free to work at other facilities and will not be required to reimburse TMC for their education costs.