Florida HB 1209

JaxNewGrad · Mar 28, 2009

This makes me nervous. What is the difference between "approved" and "eligible" programs/schools? I wonder who or what organization is behind this? It seems like someone has decided that the way to get more nurses is to push them through whatever programs are available. Get ready for more storefront nursing schools to pop up. It's very lucrative for smaller retail schools/programs to admit & graduate ADNs. The bigger public and private schools have to turn so many students away that nursing education is turning into a cash cow. It's predictable that storefront schools want autonomy from the board of nursing.

Schauer · Apr 4, 2009

As a consumer of medical services I must object. The thought of being greeted by a nurse in the ER that graduated from an on-line nursing school is a concept that I cannot wrap my mind around.

After I heard of this bill Sponsored by Senator Haridopolos, I was left wondering why anyone would sponsor such bad legislation. It did not take long for me to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Only one person in the state of Florida could benefit from this legislation and that person would be Arthur Keiser. Keiser is the sole director of several corporations that include five or more "for profit school." These schools would benefit from accepting students and their federal student aid money for tuition to a nursing program that upon completion would leave them in debt and unqualified to sit for the Nursing Boards in most, if not all, states. Loaded with debt and nothing to show for the process.

After digging a little further I found that not only had Keiser given generously to sponsor Sen. Haridopolos [through EVERGLADES MANAGEMENT INC. (8/1/2005 for $500), DAYTONA EDUCATION ASSOCIATES LTD ($500 on 6/20/2008), HERCULES PROPERTIES LTD ($500 on 9/23/2008), PARKLAND EDUCATION ASSOCIATES LTD ($500 on 6/20/2008)] but he also donated to members of the Senate Committee on Higher Education (Sen. Steve Oelrich – Chair Daytona Education - $500 – 2008, $500 – 2006; Everglades Management $500 – 2008, $500 – 2006; Sen. Chris Smith, Daytona Education - $500 – 2008, $500 – 2004, Everglades Management $500 – 2007, $500 – 2004 Hercules Properties Ltd – $500 – 2008, Parkland Education Association $500 – 2007; Sen. Larcenia Bullard, Everglades Management – $500 – 2006, $1000 – 2004; Sen. Evelyn Lynn Everglades Management – $500 –02, $500 –04, $500 – 07, Hercules Properties Ltd – $500 – 2007, Keiser College - $500 – 2008, Parkland Education Association $500 – 2007, Sen. Ken Pruitt - Parkland Education Association $500 – 2006, Everglades Management $500 – 2004) I realized this when I saw that the only people speaking in favor of this bill were from Keiser owned schools.

On top of the individual donations, Keiser companies have donated almost $100,000 to the Republican Party of Florida in the last election cycle. As a single individual I cannot hope to compete with the kind of influence and access that $100,000 can buy. I can only hope that you will look past this blatant scheme of "pay to play" and do what is in the best interest of the people and the State of Florida and oppose this bill.

FLmomof5 · Apr 5, 2009

If you read "Committee Substitute 1" on that page, you will see it has been greatly modified.

Schauer · Apr 5, 2009

Just because it is better does not mean it is good. Only that it is not as bad.