Interesting Letter received in response to my letter to my governor in VA

[serenity67]

]Howdy All!!

]As all of you know, the VA BON meeting was a bust. They didn't budge on the issue rearding EC grads. Back before the meeting I had emailed my governor (Tim Kaine). I FINALLY got a response from the secretary of health and human services yesterday. I am in the process of writing her back to address the points she made with ACTUAL FACTS. She obviously just fed me the same lines that the VA BON fed HER. She doesn't have a CLUE that her information is incorrect. Also, the VA BON keeps blaming EC, saying they held open forums on a few dates prior to this new legislation and that EC never showed up. The TRUTH is the legislation they were proposing was a curriculum change for IN STATE SCHOOLS... that is the reason no one from EC attended any of these forums. WHY ON EARTH would they show up... they are an OUT OF STATE SCHOOL?? Anyway, here is a copy of the letter:

]

]Thank you for your recent letter to Governor Kaine concerning clinical hours in nursing education programs. Since the regulation of health care is within the work of my office, the Governor has forwarded your letter to me for response.

In response to concerns that some nursing students do not have adequate clinical skills to be safely practicing when they graduate from nursing school, the Board of Nursing proposed amended regulations to require registered nursing programs to include at least 500 clinical hours in their curriculum. There was opportunity to comment on the proposal from February 5, 2007, to April 6, 2007, and a public hearing was held on March 20, 2007. Comments received from some educators and employers indicated that 500 clinical hours was inadequate to prepare students for entry into practice as an RN, but the Board elected to retain the proposed minimal requirement. The proposed amendments became final on April 2, 2008.

The role of a state board of nursing is to ensure that graduates of an approved nursing program are clinically prepared to practice, and we understand that the Excelsior's on-line program has not been approved by any state board of nursing. Many other states also require a minimal number of clinical hours for any nursing program. The amended requirement does not adversely affect any programs in Virginia or any nurses already licensed. In fact, Virginia has approved three online programs with the proper number of clinical hours, and there are online programs at Indiana State University and Mountain State University - all of which are approved nursing education programs.

At its meeting on September 16, 2008, the Board considered additional information regarding distance learning nursing education programs. Other than a request from Excelsior College, there were no other objections or requests for extension of time, and the Board voted to uphold its decision of May 20, 2008. Any student enrolled in a distance learning nursing education program that does not meet the clinical requirements must complete their program by December 31, 2009 in order to be eligible for licensure in Virginia either by examination or by endorsement.

There are two options for students who are enrolled at Excelsior and will not be able to complete the program by the December deadline. The first is to request that the College arrange for precepted RN clinical experiences for their students, in order to be in compliance with the Board of Nursing regulations.

The second option is to transfer to one of the three on-line nursing education programs in Virginia or the one out-of-state on-line program that does meet the clinical requirements of the Board of Nursing regulations. Below is a list of the schools and their contact information:

Northern Virginia Community College, Springfield, Virginia Contact: Florence Richman

Phone: [phone]

VCCS Commonwealth Program, Midlothian, Virginia, Contact: Barbara Laird Phone: [phone]

Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, Virginia, Contact: Cynthia Parsons Phone: [phone]

Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, Contact: Marcia Miller, Phone: [phone]

Thank you for writing and sharing your concerns. I hope you will be able to complete your education within the prescribed timeframe and will be qualified for licensure.

Marilyn B. Tavenner

Secretary of Health and Human Resources

1111 East Broad Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

OMG- lots of misinformation there! And EC is approved by plenty of state boards of nursing- mine included.

http://www.hhr.virginia.gov/OfficeInfo/TavennerBio.cfm

Here's her homepage. She looks like she's about 12 years old.

BTW- the school where she got her degrees is accredited by the NLN, just like EC. Except it's not designated as a NLN Center of Excellence like EC is.

[serenity67]

OMG- lots of misinformation there! And EC is approved by plenty of state boards of nursing- mine included.

http://www.hhr.virginia.gov/OfficeInfo/TavennerBio.cfm

Here's her homepage. She looks like she's about 12 years old.

BTW- the school where she got her degrees is accredited by the NLN, just like EC. Except it's not designated as a NLN Center of Excellence like EC is.

]I know what you mean! I was SHOCKED! I am working on my written response to her... lately it seems every email I write to these elected officials turns into a lengthy research paper! I want to "educate" them about the Excelsior nursing program. At this time, all the nursing programs in my area require you to be a fulltime student after you finish your prereq's and enter into the nursing portion. That means I cannot go back to school at this time. I can't afford to pay my mortgage, car payment, etc. without a fulltime paycheck, not to mention my job will PAY for my education... but ONLY if I'm a fulltime employee. Sooooooooo... I've got PLENTY OF TIME to spar with legislators.

]I said in the beginning that I'm CONVINCED the basis for this line of legislation is a result of the NCSBN and the position paper that was written about "distance learning". Once California won their court case and the appeal against EC there has been a trickle down effect from state to state. That trickle has become a steady stream, and it will only be a matter of time before it flows through all the remaining states, unless there is some sort of revolution. Many folks think EC should just create clinicals for everyone in every state, but in doing it would be like admitting their program was substandard. I think there needs to be a counter research paper in response to the NCSBN's paper. That's where the real fight needs to be... they are the true "head" of the beast that is against this model of learning.

[boyle80]

How about going to ISU if your job pays for it?

[serenity67]

How about going to ISU if your job pays for it?

]I have had a moment or two where I have considered this. I wasn't really trying to get a BSN at this time, seeing as I was just getting started with EC and have sooooo many prereq's to complete just for the associate RN. I'm still catching my breath from this EC blow at the moment, but thanks for the suggestion! :)