Zorba

Hello, The people in New Orleans, specifically Mary Raymer and Marisa Palkuti, are the individuals in charge of the NNEI. I have been in correspondence with them multiple times regarding the inaccurate computation of work obligation r/t the length of the nursing program. It seems from what I found out is that they typically will require 3 years of service regardless of how their formula actually tabulates out. To support my accusations, I instituted the Freedon of Information Act (FOIA) to get specific information regarding the nurses at our VA that received NNEI funding. What I uncovered was appalling!!!!!! Not only did I now have PROOF of the inaccuracies, the FOIA uncovered that the program director at our facility was not being an advocate of the recipients at our facility. When I presented the information to Raymer and Palkuti, they actually had the audacity to tell me the findings were immaterial and didn't mean anything. I have presented this to the president of the AFGE 3669 nursing union who informed me that there was a national problem with the NNEI program and requested a copy of the FOIA information I uncovered. She was going to take this information and also present it to individuals in DC, who, I'm not sure of. I would like to forward your message to her if you don't have any objections. I, too, am requesting a waiver in writing r/t leaving the VA and after my ACTUAL work commitment is fulfilled. I found out that I am 2 history credits short of my degree (BSN), so they made me In Breach of Contract. I also have worked over 2 years after leaving the nursing program. My actual work commitment should have been 1 year 9 months and a few days instead it was easy for them to tell me 3 years. The formula IS NOT complicated even though the Program Director, who is PhD. prepared, told me it was. Since I left the VA, they withheld my vacation pay and billed me for the amount that I was funded. I was able to negotiate at least a portion of the money from the financial director at my VA for living expenses until I was able to develop an income after leaving the VA. ....Zorba

National Nursing Education Initiative

I graduated with my BSN and was given a commitment that does not coincide with the formulas set forth with the NNEI guideline requirements. I have talk with other RN's from the exact same program and all were given different lengths of commitment to fulfill their obligation to NNEI. Has anyone else experienced these inconsistencies pertaining to the commitments post graduation???? According to the guidelines of NNEI, they state that they require the enrollee to repay time for "coursework" taken at an approved school. I have taken 5 Dante's (clep tests for credits), at $50 per test for 15 credit hours or $250. NNEI is telling me that these are to be calculated along with the coursework I attended during my attendance in the BSN program. This they say, will change my commitment time of 19 mos to 3 years????? I find this hard to believe. If anyone has had any of these problems or recognized the inconsistencies in determining their commitment post graduation, please respond to this post or send me a note privately. Thank you for your time. ....Zorba