Omnibus LVN in Houston Anyone?

Kristy_joyz · Jul 30, 2008

houston nursing school may be bogus

08:13 pm cdt on wednesday, july 9, 2008

by rosa flores / 11 news

video: rosa flores' 11 news report view larger player

houston -- for single mom mariciel ferrer, getting an online nursing degree made a lot of sense so she enrolled in the omnibus international college foundation.

however, after paying about $1,600 in application and tuition fees, the online school that was supposed to let her earn a licensed vocational nursing degree stopped returning her calls.

“i cried when i found out,” ferrer said.

the texas higher education coordinating board's investigation unit said in a statement that omnibus “does not have the authority to operate in texas -- not from the texas higher education coordinating board, the texas workforce commissioner or the texas board of nursing.”

11 news went to the houston offices of omnibus international college foundation.

“we are not a school,” said rene gaviola, the ceo of omnibus.

11 news: all your materials say that you're a school and so do the posters on the wall.

“they always ask (if) we are accredited in the u.s., and we say no,” claimed gaviola, who said the organization doesn't need accreditation because they are only a charity “affiliated” with a school in the philippines.

“it's the school in the philippines that will be giving you the certificate,” said gaviola.

gerald treece, 11 news' legal expert, said he isn't buying gaviola's answer.

“it's consumer protection and preventing consumer fraud,” said treece. “do the people out there in search of their dreams, are they being taken advantage of?

“if, in fact, the documentation you get at the end of this exercise is worthless, then i think that's misrepresentation," treece said.

ferrer said she wasted her time and money and would love to get her money back. for now, she's hoping to make her nursing dreams come true through a program on the internet.

wayward · Dec 9, 2008

For your info OLRA's case was dismissed by TWC. Please read the news article below:

twinkle12 · May 30, 2009

The article above from Fil-Ame Press is inaccurate now. Please read the informed link stating this new information as of May 1, 2009:

http://www.bon.state.tx.us/nursingeducation/approved-programs.html

Unapproved Nursing Educational Programs Operating in Texas

The Board is aware of five schools operating in Texas without Board approval. Graduates from these programs would not be eligible to take the NCLEX licensure examination. Review the BON News posting for more information.

UPDATE - MAY 1, 2009 - SIXTH SCHOOL ISSUED CEASE AND DESIST ORDER
Omnibus International was issued a Cease and Desist Order by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) on May 1, 2009, as the owner of the school, Rene Gaviola, is operating a career school without a certificate of approval or exemption required by the TWC. Prospective nursing students are advised that graduates of Omnibus International will not be deemed eligible to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN by the Texas Board of Nursing. At this time, the Texas BON is investigating whether or not to approve applicants for endorsement into Texas.

Helper351 · Jun 1, 2009

Twinkle 12

I'm looking into the issue you raised here and would like to discuss it with you

Let me know if you agree to speak to me over the phone

Thank you

twinkle12 · Jun 1, 2009

I prefer not to speak over the phone, but will gladly answer any questions through this forum.

- twinkle12

Helper351 · Jun 1, 2009

I'm a TWC investigator and would like to interview you over the phone

If you have some time tomorrow, you can reach me at 512-463-2393

Thanks

twinkle12 · Jun 1, 2009

I have already been contacted by the TWC, Ms. Faye. Ms. Nancy Faye was working on my case. I never heard from her for about 6 months until recently and decide to update this topic, in addition to discovering the death of the Manila Headline editor,Rici Illanga, whose rival was Rene Gaviola. Both Rene Gaviola and Rici Illanga operate schools in the Phillipines and were working on making their schools successful. I just want to make sure no one makes the same mistake as I did in thinking online nursing schools work. Basically, they do not.

Helper351 · Jun 2, 2009

I'm also working with Ms. Fahy

Again, my number is 512-463-2393 - I would like to speak to you

Thanks

twinkle12 · Jun 2, 2009

I called twice.... leads to voicemail.

hands640 · Jun 4, 2009

i would like to ask, what will mr gaviola be facing charges after this?

twinkle12 · Jun 4, 2009

I do not think Mr. Gaviola will be facing any charges unless the TWC (Texas Workforce Comission) can prove that Omnibus is still operating illegally. Right now TWC is trying to find proof that students are still being accepted and/or are doing clinicals in TX. As of now, I do not know. Hopefully someone reading this that is a student there and still attends Omnibus will reply and acknowledge Omnibus's status. But finding current students is a challenge, since many students will want to be endorsed through another state and work in TX through that route.