NLU PA Program — Didactic Year Handbook
Students who have prior healthcare employment or who choose to maintain healthcare-related employment are subject to the same academic and clinical requirements as all other students. Employment as a healthcare professional does not substitute for any required component of the PA curriculum. Students may not use employment responsibilities to satisfy PA Program educational requirements unless the activity has been specifically approved by the program as part of the curriculum. Students must maintain a clear distinction between their role as an employee and their role as an NLU PA student.
7. Student Employment at the University or Program
Consistent with ARC-PA requirements, PA students are not required to work for the PA Program. Students may not be used as substitutes for instructional faculty, clinical staff, or administrative staff. A student may participate in approved educational activities such as peer tutoring, peer mentoring, or other student-learning activities when authorized by the program. Such activities must not interfere with required curricular activities and must not substitute for responsibilities ordinarily performed by faculty or staff.
8. Clinical Site Employment
Students may not use their employment relationship with a clinical site to substitute for required PA Program clinical education. When participating in a supervised clinical practice experience, students must function in their designated role as NLU PA students and comply with all program and clinical-site requirements. Students must not represent employment activities as PA Program educational activities unless specifically approved by the program, and must comply with applicable requirements regarding student identification and supervision in clinical settings.
9. Professional and Academic Responsibility
Students who elect to maintain employment remain responsible for achieving the academic and professional standards of the PA Program. Employment does not reduce or modify the program’s expectations regarding academic performance, professional behavior, attendance, clinical performance, competency development, patient safety, examination performance, assignment completion, clinical documentation, professional communication, or timely completion of program requirements. Students are expected to make appropriate personal, financial, and employment decisions before and during enrollment to ensure that they can meet the demands of the program.
10. Financial Hardship
The program recognizes that students may experience financial challenges during graduate education. Students experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to utilize appropriate National Louis University resources, including financial aid, financial counseling, student support services, and other available resources.
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