The UM College of Nursing Student Government

THE COST OF NURSING
-------EDUCATION

------Filipino students' piled up complaints on the rising cost of education and competition in job placement are rising. Educators and school administrators are confronted with immense challenges to ensure that students who enrolled in their institution, benefit from quality education they deserve; one that will truly prepare them for a "life beyond school". Everyone are pressed in addressing this critical issues.

------The competency-based and community-oriented Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum was mandated by the government and recently been implemented by most higher institutions. The said curriculum involves teaching-learning process which is composed of the theoretical/didactic and experiential/RLE. The RLEs or Related Learning Experiences are composed of Clinical & Skills Laboratory. Curriculum developers designed the RLE activities and have carefully selected in order to develop competencies applying the nursing process in diverse health situations.

------But what makes Nursing expensive?... Remember that nursing is one field of discipline that is a combined science and technology as it harness BSN Students' skills in problem solving, communication, teaching, community organizing, values and attitudes. The following may be the common reasons for the rising cost of nursing education:

------1. High cost of the Schools' Operational Expenses (National & Local Government Taxes, Water & Light Bills, Health Services, others).

------2. Demand for higher Faculty and Non-teaching Personnels' Salaries.

------3. Demand for Competitive Instructional Facilities.

------4. Need for Technology Development/Adoption.

------5. Security Considerations.

------6. Demand of Other Health Institutions for Higher RLE Fees and/or Affiliation fees.

------7. Priority Research and Community Development Projects.

------8. Health, Library and other General Services.

------9. Others.

------Nurses are the backbone of every nations' healthcare system. Although nursing may be an expensive course, most students think that it can be a long-term investment; and benefits as well as rewards can be ripped off later in life. Undeniably, many families have burdens regarding credit card debt, debt consolidation, payday loan consolidation, and others. Note that there is no need to worry that much since, there are so many strategies on debt management. Financial industries in fact provide ideal debt management programs. Other than that, students may also apply for scholarships to finance their education.

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