twinkle12

I did not wait for February. I just got out of their school entirely. I did not want to waste my time any longer at Omnibus with the chance of not being approved. Omnibus is not even accredited by the BON. I would suggest attending a nursing school that is listed under the BON approved/ accredited schools. By the way, they (CES/ CGFNS) would not evaluate my classes since I did not complete it entirely. If I did complete the entire ADN/ PN II program then maybe they would. I will never know. Anyway, I received an email saying the BON did not approve a single person for the RN, only LVN licensure in TX. That may change though. Good luck in your future nursing endeavors!

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.

I called twice.... leads to voicemail.

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.

I prefer not to speak over the phone, but will gladly answer any questions through this forum. - twinkle12

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.

I found out today that the Texas workforce commission dismissed the case against OLRA. I found out afterwards that Omnibus and OLRA are two different entities. So the representer of my case told me that they are still working on the case against Omnibus. I just got angry though because Omnibus and OLRA are the same thing!!! It is just a way of going around the law b/c I have been paying my tuition to OLRA, but my education is from Omnibus. This thing is a big headache. I just want it over with and have that office closed. Just to let you all know, my mom said she got my tuition reinbursed from the credit card co.... so at least I got some of it back.

Rene Gaviola, the CEO of OLRA/ Omnibus, is actually in Houston, TX. I heard he lives in a rich neighborhood worth at least $1million, not pesos. He has been here for a while in the United States. I heard that he had a dentist office a few years back and was investigated as well about taking care of patients in Galveston in the wee hours of the morning- 2am and what not, that was why he was investigated previously and now is scamming people through nursing education. He is a major scam artists, not only in the Philippines, but in Texas.

Kathy sent me a complete version of the manila headline article. These are more readable. omnibuscomplete.pdf

Here is another file attachment of that fake Omnibus nursing school. btw, Thanks goes out to kathy. She told me how to attach these files. Thanks!!! :)

Here are two attachments of the Manila headline article about them.

I took of my facebook. The files are below.

I wasnt send the newspaper ad, but I am able to send my scanned portion of the newspaper clippings from Manila headline. And by the way, the newsreporter who did this article got threats from Omnibus, so I am unsure if they will post it on Manila Headline or not. He has secruity now/ police protection. But, I will still email the paper clippings for those interested.

Just an update: The Manila Headline newspaper posted the article about Omnibus and I just received the article today from the local asian grocery store. I will try and get the article to be in the Houston Chronicle. If anyone wants to read the article right now, I can scan and email it if anyone is interested. Or, you can also email or visit www.manilaheadline.com and ask them for the article. It's getting brighter every day! :) 2nd update: Manila Headline is sending me the official article and I will post it within an hour or two for those who want it. (It is approx 3PM central).

That was the big question. How was it possible for clincals to be done in Katy TX if their main campus is in the Philippines? The Spanish Meadows hospital was where my clinicals was supposedly going to be before I started questioning myself and that school. As with Suzanne, her comments and advice are exactly correct. The BON won't approve me b/c of the clinicals not being in the same country, done at the same time (theory and clincals), and them not being even accredited at all anywhere whether it be the Philipppines or USA, they are NOT accredited. They just made fake documents probably. As for radiology, I know about the risks and I am going to try and get into Radiology with HCC Coleman. Hope for the best!

The program I was in was for the RN Registered Nurse Program, not LVN. Although numerous people got their LVN from that school and were licensed after passing BON exam, my RN program was not. Just wanted to make clear that I was never interestered in an LVN program, Just RN. I am trying to do Radiology now, once I take these two prereqs I need for a college here in Houston, which I know for sure is accredited.

I contacted the TX workforce commission again, but this time I got a hold of someone else my mother's friend recommended. They got all my facts and said I would have a hearing about my case in Austin in front of the BON. The representative I talked to said that she will report them to the Attorney General and would inform me of what will happen. My mother told me this school will be in the Manila Headline detailing their plot to scam people tomorrow, Friday that is distributed in Houston. I am just glad things are starting to look brighter.

So far, my parents were thinking of getting my nursing courses I've done so far credited, but when I called the CES, they said they could not evaluate them unless I completed the program entirely. So then, I wrote to about three contacts/ commissioners in the Philippines connected to the CHED, but none of them responded to my emails. I did not know exactly who to direct my email to, so I just picked the comissoners on their website (http://www.ched.gov.ph/). Tonight, I called about five times through my land line which is quite expensive. No one would answer and it was like a recording saying the line was busy. I called here in the evening, which is about 8 or 9am in the Philippines. Yesterday, I contacted the TX workforce commission about vocational colleges operating. They said that they actually CAN operate without a license, these foreign schools. That made me angry.... but they gave me another number to contact, which I did and found out it was an attorney. I do not want to hire an attorney for it might not be worth it (paying an attorney can be VERY costly!) I am just hoping my parents credit card co can dispute this once I get proof or a letter stating they are not accredited. Once I get that, I'll get my parents money back and everything will be settled and I'll move on with my life. Until then, I'll let your know happens.

A few days ago I contacted the BON and told me to contact the CGFNS/CES to determine if my education is approved for the RN licensing. After I contacted the CGFNS/CES, they told me to contact the state I am in for more information. Both agencies, the BON and CGFNS,would not really help me. I emailed the BON again, but they never responded as I did not complete the Nursing program entirely therefore, I could not be answered. As for Omnibus, I am still waiting for my the money to be credited back to my credit card. Additionally, this morning a fellow student emailed me about seeking legal action, but they are in Atlanta, GA. I am not sure yet if I will pursue this because Omnibus might not refund my money if I seek legal action.

Thanks so much for your information. I'm glad to have posted on here and are getting really good responses. I have not withdrawn from the lecture portion, as I am unsure if they will give me a refund/W or to just finish those 3 classes I enrolled in online til January. I am clueless as what to do in the future regarding my career. I will most likely switch majors/ careers in the health field. Probably try Respiratory Therapy or something... Thanks for your experience.

I can not figure out how to add the explanation letter from Omnibus in an attachment in pdf format. Can anyone help me?

I went to Omnibus, their location in Houston, TX. They let me get a refund, but said my credit card will be refunded within a week or two. I am just glad to get back my money, since I have not started clinicals yet, which I was going to do. I have a letter received a long time ago about that media story in Houston on KHOU. If any of you are interested in reading it, I will attach it (or try to). Omnibus stated they are accredited in the Philippines by CHED and have Two nurses currently working in TX approved and passed by BON. Just thought it would be interesting to know.

You are probably right. I plan to disenroll in the Clinical portion tomorrow morning and hopefully will get my money back for that clinical class. I have not received notice from the BON yet, as it is probably too early to receive a response. So I am not going to take the chance anymore and waste my parents money. Your responses about the BON not accrediting me because of the simulatenous completion of the clincial and lecture part makes sense, as it is not accredited in the Philippines. I am sad to say this, but you are probably correct. I should have researched Omnibus sooner. And their website is even down (www.omnibusonline.org) so I guess their school is erroneous and illegitimate. Thanks for everything, I just wish I knew sooner.

I just want to let you know, I am currently in Texas. I am a US citizen. I am able to work in the US and live here as well. I am NOT currently in the Philippines;therefore, I do not need a Visa. I do not take clinicals in the Philippines. Everything, even clinicals are taken near Houston, TX. They have a branch/ site here in the USA. I am going to start clinicals at Spanish Meadows Nursing Center in Katy, TX this Monday. I just want to make sure you understood that. I will contact the CGFNS once I hear from the BON/BNE. Thanks again though, I just wanted to clarify that.

No, I do not hold dual citizenship. I have already contacted the BNE via their email. I hope to hear from them soon. Thanks for all your help and comments.