Ronnie22

I see a couple of issues here that Representative Sharon Cooper has brought up in her law to harm Excelsior College and their nurses. If she says this is a "Patient safety issue" how can she then grandfather those who are currently enrolled? They are dangerous, right? If the public is in danger of poor patient care, by her standards, so how could she justify letting even one EC student to work in Georgia? What about those students that were under the wire for the new law? They have the potential to harm Georgia residents with their patient care. Ronnie

Sharon Cooper has a MSN from Medical College of Georgia, but I can't find out what year she graduated nursing school. She appears to be in her mid to late 50's. The GABON says nursing grads should have a min. of 400 hours of clinical experience. If she graduated 30 or more years ago, I doubt she had 400 hours of clinical experiences. So was she unsafe? Hummm that would be a nice little tidbit to ask her.

Why should we do more clinical hours? Nursing students that complete a nursing program in Georgia is 400 hrs. I have more clinical hours than that by a long shot. I am not willing to do more clinical hours, but I will put my clinical experiences and skills against any 400 hour nurse extern.

I think she is up for reelection this November. I saw a site with her pic and bio, also the recent runoff with her numbers. I'll try to find the link, and who she will be running against. Ronnie

So we will not forget!

I'm really glad Representative Cooper is in Marietta. The nurse managers at Kennestone Hospital are very upset about this new law. I know many that live in her district will be voting when she runs again. I think what it boils down to is, Ms. Cooper is a angry person. She does not like the EC nurses and students because, "it ain't like I did it" type mentality. It is strange she stated in the interview that any 18 year old out of high school could become a nurse through Excelsior. How misinformed can she be? Obviously she didn't do her home work, and is relying on someone else's guesses about EC. And she also stated the law is about patient safety...not about how long the program has been in effect, or that peoples lives are disrupted. So, as I have stated before: " What about those nurses that are working in Georgia now, she should stop those ill prepared, under educated, and no-clinical nurses before someone is hurt." Here is her link to the State House.http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/house/bios/cooperSharon/cooperSharon.htm

One of the purposes of the EC school of nursing requirements for students is having clinical experience. Albeit not all the extraneous stuff taught in nursing schools, but making me better prepared to be a nurse. When I become a nurse, I can start IV's, give IM and SQ injections. I can figure a drip rate, and actually do more than a nurse extern from a traditional school. This is the analogy i like to use concerning the recent GABON decision: "I am a mechanic and have 15 years of experience working on all kinds of cars. During my career as a mechanic I have obtained all the certs. and understanding of engines, transmissions, electrical, and I have all my tools. I decide to go to work for the local GM dealer because of better benefits and and working hours. When I apply, the manager tells me he can't hire me because GM says I must have the 'Mr. Goodwrench' patch and six week class to learn more about engines. Joe Smoe is 21 years old and decides he wants to work there too. So he takes the six week class and gets his 'Mr. Goodwrnch' patch, and the manager hires him because of the mechanic shortage. The manager knows Joe needs a lot of OJT.He didn't learn all he needed to learn at the Mr. Goodwench school to do the job as a mechanic, but at least he has the patch. Joe does not have the actual garage time or experience either, but wants to learn. The manager wants to hire me, but GM will not allow him." I can pass all the test GM requires, and I know all about engines. I even have experience working and dianosing engine problems, but GM requires the six week class. I go across town to the Ford dealer and she hires me on the spot. She is happy to have an experienced mechanic.

One other note..you can't copy and past the promo code. I tried that on a previous attempt, then again today. I continued to get "Promo code is invalid." So I decided to just type the code as above, and presto...credit and I am now registered.. Thanks again, Ronnie

I really like the state BON stating how they are not unsympathetic towards our plight, but they are the ones that initiated the law! Hummm..let me see, let's create a law that cuts nursing students our of their desire to work in Georgia, then say we are sorry and not unsympathetic...wow. I guess they think this makes them look compassionate.

I would suggest we find out how the BON members get their jobs; appointment, election from Ga. nurses..how? Then we start an effort to stop them from remaining in the positions for another term. After the news broke about the recent legislation, I contacted five EC grads that are working in Ga. and told them..they were understandably in disbelief as was I. We discussed what methods would work best to stop this insanity from going further, and the consensus was to first write letters and emails, then go to the board meeting in Macon, then by whatever means available, stop current members from retaining their seats. I know several EC students that are attending the next board meeting in Macon, Ga. on September 17. This endeavor is to make our voices heard, and to educate the Georgia Board of Nursing about the abilities of EC nurses. I also know a nurse that is a delegate to GBON; as soon as I get the chance to speak with her, I'll have a better understanding of the impetus of the legislation. As many of us know, most graduate nurses are very much neophytes with clinical skills, but the fact remains their schools have a "clinical" component, so...they are accepted by the board. As for me, I have 20 years of clinical skills. ACLS, PALS, CPR. I already know how to start IV's and any number of skills that make a good nurse. I can triage, diagnose and treat better than any nurse extern. But, my clinical skills don't count. I wonder how many graduates from any nursing program can pass the CPNE? Ronnie ps I forgot to add: Most of the EC students I know (including myself) are contacting their local state legislators about the decision, and getting them to investigate how this happened, and if they can do anything..maybe submit legislation to reverse the ruling.

I tried to register for test today and the code above is 'invalid'. The site at Uexcel says they will give free test until they have enough data...i guess they have enough.

Clinicals are the major point the GBON is stuck on...but all the EC grads I know work in the ER because of their former education as paramedics. We will start work with: PALS, ACLS, CPR, and already know how to start IV's and give IM injections..we have an ability to diagnose..(handy for triage) :) Nurse externs that are right out of nursing school have little or no abilities.

I can't believe GBON will allow nurses with no clinicals to continue to practice in Georgia...considering they didn't receive the PROPER clinical training in the first place...if by their standard EC grads don't meet clinical standards of Ga. what on earth will they do with all the sub-standard nurses? Is there a way to find out through the BON how many EC nurses are practicing in GA? It would be interesting to see the numbers, and where they work...maybe patients should be informed too...we wouldn't want sub-standard care now would we...

I'm not sure about the rest of you guys, but the "Nursing Diagnosis" is what has confused me throughout my EC studies. Pounding into my head a nursing diagnosis is not a real diagnosis. It is not a true diagnosis, but is constantly called diagnosis.. very confusing for me to get my brain around.

Emergency Medical Technician.