Leadership & Staff changes at Rio RN program

[arual56]

To those who are in the Rio Nursing program currently: Anne McNamara, who was the department head of the nursing program, left her position early this year. A new department head has just been hired to fill that position. Lisa O'Neil, who was the clinicals coordinator last year, has left her position with Rio after less than two semesters. Maria Quimba, who has been with the school for a while as clinical coordinator and has filled at least one other position during her time with Rio in the nursing program is leaving the school as well. Her last day will be Friday June 1, 2007. I don't know about the rest of Rio's nursing students, but I'm concerned. I took my drug calc test for my third block on Friday May 25 and have not had it graded yet, nor have I heard back from anyone via phone or email with a response to my questions about getting this test graded. We are supposed to have this test done and passed with 100% by June 4. We have three attempts. This program has lost three significant people in the last six months and only replaced one, and then only recently. Without any feed back from anyone, I'm beginning to feel like we are floating in the wind, with time ticking away. I called my facility's contact person, who is not getting any calls back either. Anyone else having problems with the Nursing program?

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I'm not 'in the know' about anything. I sure will watch this thread, though!

I did see that McNamara is now the Dean of Nursing at Grand Canyon Univerisity. I also saw her listed as faculty at ASU.

When I am worried about something, I find it helpful to look at the worst case scenario. Since you are sponsored through your employing hospital - I'm sure they would step up and have a nurse educator sign on as an instructor. Even if as a temporary measure just to see through current students. This, I'm thinking is probably the worst case scenario if Rio cannot get nursing faculty together. I bet it would just probably mean a bit of delays, but not a disaster.

Yeah - I'd be concerned, too. However, I think your employer has invested far too much to let you end up without RN behind your name.

[futureaznurse]

I've heard about the changes too. I was actually placed at Rio and was suppose to start block 1 this summer. But since all the changes they have cancelled the program until things are straightened out. I have been offered placement elsewhere. I did wonder about the students who were already in the program. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I just noticed that there are no Summer/Fall placements listed for Rio on the placement white board:

http://web1.dist.maricopa.edu/CFIDE/docs/hcies/placementWtBd.cfm?longDesc=1

[Kabin]

Sounds like someone burned the proverbial employment bridge. It's hard enough to fill simple education staffing positions let alone someone running a program. Sad affair for AZ nursing students.

[caliotter3]

I'm sorry to read about the uncertainty and havoc at this school. My program instituted curriculum changes while I was a student and that caused negative consequences for many of us. I can imagine what the turmoil at Rio is causing for current and prospective students. Good luck to you.

[arual56]

I've heard about the changes too. I was actually placed at Rio and was suppose to start block 1 this summer. But since all the changes they have cancelled the program until things are straightened out. I have been offered placement elsewhere. I did wonder about the students who were already in the program. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

Take it from a student who is embroiled in the mess this has created, it is nightmarish. They never have given very good support to their students, but now you can't reach them by phone at all, and it takes days sometimes to get an answer by email. We have a CD which contains lessons that we are supposed to complete for one class. Mine is not working correctly, and even after being notified that there is a problem, I can't seem to get any help from the school. Take it from one who is struggling through this mess, even before the administrative upheaval, this was not a "good" program. Now it is all but impossible.