Are these normal requirements in PI schools?

[ichibanfr]

I'm sending two relatives to nursing school in Bulacan. I believe the name of the school is Yanga. Besides the tuition, books, and other incidentals that I know are needed for school, there are times when I am asked for money for their volunteer work. They go to other provinces to do volunteer work and yet they have to pay for their own transportation, food, accomodation, and sometimes they are told to bring their own medical supplies. I asked another nurse here in California who sends her daughter to school in Bicol and she expressed the same complaint.

One is graduating this year and I am appalled that they have to spend their own money to hire a speaker, feed the faculty and other guests and pay for some certification of attendance. Is this ridiculous or what? Her share comes to a total of P7,000.

I know it's not much for me in dollars but my point is is this really what's required of students there? She said they were divided into groups and were required to look for their own speaker on the subject chosen (i.e., pulmonary) and they have to pay their fee. The speaker they found is a doctor and dean of some school who also recently graduated as a nurse. This person asked for P15,000 to speak!

Somebody told me that maybe I'm just being taken for a ride. I refuse to believe that so I'd appreciate it if anyone has any info they can share before I send any more money. Should I call the school? Thank you.

[Nurse Dependent]

hi ichiban.

this is just my personal opinion (before i run the risk of another poster

answering me point by point again). :)

yes, please to give the school a phone call.

all your questions are valid.

1. expenses that will be incurred during the course of their studies, should've been included in the tuition fee already. this is based on the assumption that this has been pre-planned and part of their curriculum.

post payment of activities sends me the signal that this wasn't part of their original plan for the school year.

2. hiring of the speakers should be the school's responsibility, moreso, payment for their time (which should have been included, at a flat fee, within their tuition fees). varying amount to be paid is again, not in good form.

3. the school should be the ones to arrange the logistics of this requirement - food, accommodation, transpo, etc. if something happens to any of the students, the school should be made accountable -- this is easier done if the school provides the shuttle service, or the food to be served. clear-cut accountability for the institution.

bottomline is, i adivse you to get the side of the school so you'd be clear with their objectives and reasons why this is such.

thank you very much.

[ione]

when i was a senior (not too long ago), i remember having to go through the same thing... conduct seminars and shoulder all expenses incurred. but as luck would have it, our group managed to find a speaker who was even willing to do it for free (and mind you, this person even has an impressive credential to boot). at the end of the seminar, we just decided to chip in a few extra cash for token of appreciation. there are others out there who are willing to do it for free. or if there are none, you can always ask for a discount (student rate).

[ustegrl]

I remember when I was in school '00-'04, we have our RLE duty @ different affiliated hospital, at our own cost we have to pay for our own transportation to get there, Also part of our community health nursing is to go in a remote area where we could provide health teachings or whatever help we can provide to the people in that area..and ALL the expenses comes from our pocket...it is really expensive...and I have had a hard time asking my parents for more money bec. they thought everything is already included in the tuition but it's not.ALso not to mention, preparing and working on our group THESIS during our last yr was one of the most expensive project we ever had. You can't graduate if you fail the thesis.