Desperately seeking IRB HELP!

[ToddONelson]

Hello all.

So this is my situation.... I am almost completed with my MSN-Education through Western Governors University. I completed everything for my Capstone, Chapters 1-3 are approved, EVERYTHING I can do without collecting data yet is finished. I began my process of attempting to get IRB approval through my hospital in the Pacific Northwest in early October and just recently learned that the hospital requires that WGU have IRB and FWA numbers themselves, which they do not have. This is fine, as apparently WGU has never been asked for these numbers and they may apply for, and receive, them later on, but that doesn't help me now. So it was suggested that I attempt to find another facility at which to do my study. My study is just a short, anonymous, confidential surveymonkey about nurses' perceptions of substance-abuse patients and how their biases towards these patients affects their care of these patients. No identifying information is taken whatsoever other than general demographic questions (age, experience, specialty, etc), and NOOOOO patient information is involved at all. And it is open to any current RN who cares for substance abuse patients at any point (ER, ICU, PCU, med/surg, oncology, tele, etc. etc.).

With that being said, the hospital would still not budge, so I contacted my old employer in California only to learn that THEY require that the school has IRB/FWA numbers as well! And this is two months later! So you can imagine the frustration. To make this a more personal plea, WGU WA is having their first commencement on March 16, and my term ends January 31st (around the time of deadline to apply for the commencement I'm sure). I was/am super excited to attend this commencement and bring my family from CA (I'm the first in the family to receive a masters). Not to mention I would like to avoid paying for part of another term for this unfortunate mess.

So here's the plea... does anyone have an employer that is fairly easy-going, or liberal with these simple studies (projects)? Were you able to get a simple letter of permission from your boss after talking to them about your project? If so, I could really use your help and recommendation. A letter of permission would be easiest, naturally. I will gladly forward you the questionnaire, the IRB form that WGU requires, and anything else you need in order to assist me with this. I know that this is a lot to ask, but surely someone out here had a very smooth time getting approval and starting their study. No hospital information is given in the paper either, other than the state and maybe general location (such as Central California).

If this is possible, please help me. I hate having to resort to this, but I am seriously running short on options AND time. I can start banging on neighboring hospital's doors, but who knows how long it will take for them to respond one way or the other. What I would need from you is contact information for your boss in order to plead my case and give them any information they need (or if you discuss it with them and they are fine with it then even better!), if they need it, and then after receiving approval I would ask that you send out an email that I already have written with the link to the survey to your nursing staff (or access to the nurses' email, but I assume a mass email from a current employee, YOU, would be simpler for everyone).

I will be entirely in whomever can help me's debt! This will be a life-saver and mean so much to me (and would absolutely warrant appreciation on the acknowledgement page of my capstone!). Also, anyone with suggestions or input or anything, please feel free to reply.