Trial Of Nursing School “Diploma Mills”

December 21, 2023 11:46 am Leave a Comment

Imagine the horror of learning that the Nursing School from which you graduated gave you a Diploma without proper training. There you are doing quite well in your job and suddenly you find that your License is about to be revoked because you did not attend a properly licensed School!

That is exactly what happened in Florida’s Palm Beach School of Nursing, Quisqueya Health Academy, Sacred Heart Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and Siena College of Health in Lauderhill where “Operation Nightingale,” an effort by the Department of Justice to shut down these Schools, revealed that altogether the facilities issued over 7600 fake nursing diplomas.

In 2023, 27 people were charged and convicted for their participation in the scheme. Last Friday, the final three remaining Defendants faced jury trials.

Palm Beach State College-Lake Worth Registrar Gail Russ was convicted of 13 counts of wire fraud and exonerated of five others. Recruiters, Cassandra Jean, Owner and Operator of Success Nursing Review in Brooklyn, New York and Vilaire Duroseau, Owner and Operator of the Center for Advanced Training and Studies in West Orange, New Jersey, were both found guilty of four counts of wire fraud. They now face up to twenty years in prison.

It is scary and unnerving to realize that there are people who fell for these false diplomas. The Judge specifically told the Jurors, “The absolute corruption of the nursing field by these defendants and others who work with them … This was all a shortcut designed to make money.”

Unfortunately, these get-rich-quick schemes sound great in the beginning but are truly costly in the end. The common denominator to all of it: greed.

If it looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t! There is truly a lesson here in caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.

Radonda Vaught Loses License Appeal

December 14, 2023 7:10 pm Leave a Comment

As you and other readers probably know, I have frequently brought up issues regarding the case of Former Registered Nurse RaDonda Vaught who not only had her license revoked but was put on trial following a fatal medication error of administering vecuronium to a patient rather than the prescribed Versed.

In the trial she faced a possible eight-year prison term for criminally negligent homicide and abuse of an impaired adult but instead received three years’ probation.

But the Tennessee Board of Nursing also took action by revoking her nursing license in July 2021 to which she appealed. That request was denied.

It is so disappointing that Ms. Vaught lost her license over a medication error. Granted, the medication error should not have occurred, but since it did, one must ask what does stripping away her license do to resolve the problem of inadvertent medication errors?

Boards need to be rehabilitative rather than punitive in such matters. Unfortunately, it seems the Courts don’t wish to face these situations and tend to sweep them under the proverbial rug.

To get a review from a Court, the alleged actions of the Respondent must be arbitrary, capricious and “shock the consciousness of the Court.” Therefore, it’s extremely difficult to appeal against any decisions of this nature.

In fact, in Indiana, the normally non-admissible use of hearsay in Court is admissible in administrative law proceedings with the caveat that it cannot form the sole basis of the decision. The normal protections that we are afforded in regular Court proceedings do not always apply when an issue is instead brought before a Board.
In most states the governor appoints the Board members. I can usually tell what party our governor is based on the actions of the Board. If you are concerned about the unbridled control these Boards have, I would highly recommend talking to your state representative or state senator.

Being Guilt Tripped By Your Employer?

December 6, 2023 4:32 pm Leave a Comment

Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas were blocked from safely staffing the NICU in the Hospital’s reaction to staging a one day strike this past Wednesday (December 6, 2023).

Prior to the planned strike, the Day Supervisor and Perinatal Director would not allow some nurses to work their shifts in the Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This action left only three Registered Nurses to tend to the NICU Patients, a ratio considered unsafe even by the Hospital staffing guidelines and was clearly in retaliation for the nurses planning to go on strike. Only 3 nurses for our most vulnerable preemie patients. It is unfortunate that Hospitals feel they need to guilt-trip nurses so they can’t exercise their freedom to go on strike.

Nurses at another Hospital, Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kansas are also planning to strike but any who do participate will not be able to return to work until Sunday, December 10th.

In my opinion, this may be illegal as I consider it to be an interference with the collective bargaining process to intimidate nurses to not strike by making them lose three additional days of pay.

The issues on the strike include equipment issues such as the lack of functional IV pumps, hospital gowns, blankets, and thermometers, as well as persistent problems with the Hospital issued phones that Nurses are required to use during their shift.

In addition, there are the issues of staffing and unsafe floating policies meaning Nurses are being assigned to units that they don’t usually work, haven’t been trained for and do not have the expertise required to treat their patients.

I think it is unfortunate that Healthcare facilities manipulate or pressure their employees to stay in their positions and not exercise their right to strike. This can manifest itself as guilt tripping, creating a sense of obligation, or even fostering in Nurses a fear of repercussion if they consider striking.

Addressing these concerns is crucial for the well-being of Nurses and the quality of care provided. It is imperative to create a positive work environment, including:

(1) adequate staffing,

(2) supportive leadership,

(3) respect and recognition,

(4) open communication,

(5) work life balance, and

(6) six providing resources.

Nurses play a critical role in our healthcare system and their well-being directly impacts patient outcomes. Hopefully, these are just a few of the constructive ways that healthcare facilities can improve satisfaction so that Nurses will not want to strike.

If your employer is guilt-tripping you to prevent you from exercising your rights, I say you can always get another job, but you can’t get another license.

I once had a Nurse who was terminated from Hospital A and relocated to Hospital B. Afterwards, I was pleased to hear her say, “It is so great here! Had I known how much better it was here, I would have left the other Hospital a long time ago.”

Another Nurse, terminated from Hospital B, made the same comment after starting work at Hospital A.

So, if you are working at a place that is not a good fit for you, keep in mind that there may be another place that is.

Know, Like and Trust

November 30, 2023 6:00 pm Leave a Comment

Potential clients need to know, like and trust you before they’re going to work with you. The whole idea of marketing is so that potential clients can get to know you and decide whether to work with you.

Many think, “Oh, I’ll just start a website and people will come to me.”

I did a search for Legal Nurse Consultants and that term is only searched fifty times a day, not by attorneys but by nurses looking for education.

If they do find your website, people need to know, like, and trust you before they’re going to buy from you. So, the issue becomes, how do you get known so that people like you and trust you?

One – SPEAKING. Speaking is a great way to share your knowledge and to let people know who you are and how you can help.

Two – YOUTUBE CHANNEL VIDEOS. Create a YouTube channel with videos which allow people to see you and learn from you you so they can determine if they know like and trust you. Make sure you ask that they share your videos subscribe to your channel! Feel free to subscribe to my youtube channel!

Three – FACEBOOK/ Social media allows you to get in front of people so they like you and trust you. Give, give, give before you ask someone to work with you. Find groups with your ideal clients. Check out my free facebook group!

Four – OFFER PEOPLE A CALL WITH YOU. When people talk to you, then they can determine how much value you provide and get to know, like and trust you on a call and determine if they want to work with. If you would like to schedule a call with me click here

Sending people unsolicited emails and mail do not work because of the know, like and trust factor. If you had a medical condition and received a post card from a physician you did not know inviting you to come to his office, would you go? Probably not. Just think about the know like and trust and it will guide your marketing.

I practice everything I preach!

Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck: A Nurse’s Story

5:52 pm Leave a Comment

Mackenzie Moan was one day feeling very frustrated. She is a wife and mother of two kids and studying for her PhD. Her feelings were heightened because of financial struggles. She and her husband both work in Pennsylvania, he as a security guard and she as a Registered Nurse. Even though they both make good money, she feels like they’re living paycheck to paycheck and that should not be the way it is. More so with her being degreed.

Ms. Moan discussed how they would pay their mortgage, buy some groceries, put gas in the car and they would have only $299 to $300 on which to live over the next week. She went on Tik Tok

It’s sad that nurses who are the only reason that hospitals exist are unable to make a decent living. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for nurses in Pennsylvania is $31.49 per hour. My assumption probably what is getting in Ms. Moan’s way is her student loans. But even so, inflation last year was 7.75%. Did you get a raise of 7.75%? It is unlikely.

Yet, every hospital I drive by has construction in progress. Money is being used to put back into the facility through improvements in the physical structure, but not in the workforce.

The current rate of inflation is 3.2%. Hmmm . . . did you get a get that kind of a raise?

Many nurses are looking for greener pastures. The only way to make more money as nurses is to simply work more. It takes a toll on your health and your body.

Other options include getting another job and at a higher salary. It’s sad that they pay travelers more money than their regular loyal staff.

It used to be in our society that you would go to college, get a good job and you worked until you could retire with a good pension.

Well, that’s no longer the norm in society. People change jobs for all kinds of reasons now and loyalty seems to have been tossed out the window. There are no more pensions for the most part, and it’s making it harder and harder to survive in this environment.

I don’t have any answers! My heart goes out to Ms. Moan and all the other nurses who are in this situation. My only suggestion is that nurses need to stick together and demand higher pay so that we can reap the benefits of having a degree and having a good life. No one should struggle, no one should go to a university and become one of the most needed professionals in the hospital yet not be able to make a living.

Comments? If you have any, and I feel you may, certainly I would love to hear them below.

Embracing Positivity: The No-Complaining Challenge For Nurses

November 21, 2023 3:42 pm Leave a Comment

During that part of my career when I walked the hospital hallways as a Registered Nurse, I would reach my assigned floor to receive report and couldn’t help but hear many colleagues as they complained about patients, the hospital and, in general, our profession. Immediately I would feel like energy was being drained from my body and I had to ask myself, “What the heck did I just walk into?”

Fortunately, most of us ignored the complaining as we settled into the complacency of that we were there just to do our jobs. Nursing demands resilience, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to care, therefore, creating a culture of positivity could make a huge difference.

Enter the “no-complaining challenge”!

Positivity is not just a state of mind, it’s a transformative force. In this hectic and demanding healthcare environment a positive mindset can lead to remarkable changes in both personal well-being and patient care.

While, I am not a proponent of the HCAHPS scores, the reviews patients submit about the care they received, and do not believe that nurses should be graded on those scores, I do believe that a positive mindset can greatly improve a nurse’s well-being and thus the car rendered to their patients.

The no-complaining challenge is not about ignoring valid concerns or difficulties. It is about reframing them to the more empowering version and when problems arise, knowing how to approach them in a manner that can really make change.

A no-complaining mindset nurtures empathy, encourages nurses to understand and connect with the struggles of patients without dwelling excessively on their own tribulations. This connection fosters a deep sense of compassion and improves the provided care.

I suggest starting your day BIG (Begin in Gratitude). Wouldn’t you want to go to work in a place where you share one thing: that you are grateful to start out each day? Wouldn’t that be a more supportive, uplifting environment? It encourages mindful communication, gratitude practice and of solutions-oriented approach and a support network.

I suggest that you embark on the no-complaining challenge and implement it in your workplace because it would be a much better experience for you and your colleagues to start your shift.

Please give your thoughts and share them with us in the comments below. If you did embark on a no-complaining challenge, how was it?. Did your colleagues participate as well? How did it go? Do you feel better going to work?

Thanks.

What’s The Verdict?

November 16, 2023 11:32 am Leave a Comment

Last week, the jury returned a verdict in the case of Maya Kowalski. I have previously written about Maya Kowalski, who was a 10-year-old girl at the at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospitals in Tampa, Florida.

Maya had suffered from Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and was receiving Ketamine treatments which reduces the sensation of pain even though they cannot stop it all together. It has been successful for Maya, but she had a very significant flare up which forced her mother, a nurse, Beata Kowalski, to take her to the hospital because severe abdominal pain and vomiting in October of 2016.

Unfortunately, I believe that the hospital had a rush to judgment in considering and reporting Maya’s parents to DCS with a diagnosis of Munchausen’s Syndrome by proxy (meaning the parents were causing Maya’s illness). The hospital clearly did not understand what CRPS is.

Apparently, they had received her pediatrician’s corroboration and recommendations for CRPS treatment, but they still went ahead and reported her to DCS. The hospital district felt that Beata was interfering with Maya’s treatment and disagreed with the dosage of ketamine.

Pediatrician Dr. Sally Smith was also improperly granted access to Maya’s medical record to build a case of child abuse against the family.

Maya was held in the hospital for 90 days during which time she was surveilled by video for 48 hours and photographed. None of this was approved of by the parents. Once custody was given to the hospital, the hospital did what they wanted. Beata became depressed and felt helpless and chose to end her life.

Now there are allegations of sexual misconduct by a male employee who entered her room and stared at her private parts which he forced her to show. Criminal charges will be filed.

The jury deliberated for 16 hours over three days and concluded that the hospital’s actions led to the mother’s suicide.

The jury awarded $211 million for false imprisonment of Maya Kowalski, battery of Maya Kowalski, fraudulent billing of Jack Kowalsk, Maya’s father, inflicting emotional distress on Beata Kowalski, wrongful death claim for the estate of Beata Kowalski and intentionally inflicting emotional distress on Maya Kolwalski. The jury also awarded $50 million in punitive damages.

Prior to trial, the hospital says they are fighting this because they want to make sure that the healthcare providers feel comfortable reporting concerns about Munchausen syndrome by proxy or any other concerns about parental mistreatment of their children. Who but a nurse is in a better position to know what their child’s healthcare needs are.

Unfortunately, Beata’s concerns were not taken seriously, and the nurses thought the mother was harming their child. Fortunately, the jury saw differently and learned the truth.

The sad part about this was at age ten, Maya was isolated in a room, watched on video, and being photographed without the parents’ knowledge or consent. In fact, Maya could not even talk to her mother. Maya’s mother became so depressed, fatigued and suffering from an overwhelming sense of helplessness that she couldn’t continue and chose to take her own life.

Nothing is going to give Maya back the time that she lost in the hospital and how she was treated, and nothing will bring back her mother.

It is so sad when there is a rush to judgment like in this case, which turned out to be not true. I am glad that John Hopkins was held accountable.

Nurse Retention Initiative

November 9, 2023 11:29 am Leave a Comment

In a recent article by Becker’s Hospital Review, 6 nursing leaders were interviewed as to what initiatives their hospitals are making to improve patient care and work culture. According to Margarita Baggett, MSN, RN, Chief Clinical Officer for UC San Diego Health, “the aim is to outperform the previous years when it comes to Nurse sensitive indicators.” These indicators include such things as prevention of falls, pressure injuries and certain infections.

Frankly, I do not see how our nurse sensitive indicators will improve nurse satisfaction and thus increase retention.

The second person was Dina Dent, DNP, RN, Vice President, and Chief Nursing Officer at Inova Health Systems. She discusses shared governance structure to ensure that every nurse’s voice is heard.

Just having a nurse at a table does not mean that the nurse’s voice is heard. Her other initiative is to decrease nurse turnover rate, but she does not say how. She wants to have nurses practice to the full extent to their license and empower them to be autonomous or empower them with autonomy and resources.

They have a clinical ladder which now includes a level 5. Again, I’m not sure how any of these initiatives are going to help decrease nurse turnover and solve the issues in healthcare.

Brandee Featherman, MSN, RN, and Chief Nursing Officer at Morristown Medical Center believes that the key component to enhancing patient care is to provide support and encouragement for our nursing professionals to reach higher competencies with ongoing professional and career development. To restate, I am not sure how educating nurses is going to improve patient care and nurse satisfaction, thus improving retention.

Ryannon Frederick, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, wants to practice transformation to decrease the documentation time and incorporate automation and artificial intelligence, improving communication and introducing new care delivery models such as virtual care. Nice words, but I can’t say that this is going to solve the problem.

Joye Gingrich, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, and Vice President of Patient Care Services at UPMC Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, wants to transition Graduate Services Nurses into professional practice with a clinical ladder offering more opportunities, accelerated growth, greater compensation, and flexible scheduling.

While I think some of these initiatives may help, it is so interesting that not one of these Nurse Leaders talked about improving staffing ratios.

The last expert to weigh in is Marybeth Thoburn, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. She wants to attend to the emotional needs of caregivers and to implement Code Lavender to support a team that has endured a particularly stressful patient or caregiver event.

While I think it is important to help nurses grieve over difficult situations, the bigger picture, which no one seems to address, is how nurses are being asked to do more with less resources.

I don’t care the education you provide a nurse because if they don’t have time to take it, it doesn’t do any good. It will be interesting to see what happens because of these forward-thinking Nurse Leaders.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Please answer in the comments below.

A Nurse’s Last Letter To Her Abuser

November 2, 2023 5:16 pm Leave a Comment

On August 7, 2023, in Dayton, Ohio, Tristin Kate Smith committed suicide!

The worst part of this story is that Tristin, a 28-year-old ER nurse, accused her abuser, healthcare, as the reason for taking her own life. She confided in detail in a note found on her computer by her father after her death about how she gave her heart, body, and mind to nursing because she wanted to help others and be a nurse forever.

But she had heard rumors about healthcare’s abusive past, about the compliments, the pizza, and the thank you letters. But when she became a nurse, she realized the truth: that healthcare did not support or care for its nurses. She heard the truth when being told about nurses getting hit by patients while emphasizing that she was not to defend herself but just to lay down or to put up her hands and wait for security.

This is absolutely heart wrenching! Nurses shouldn’t be abused. There should be safety protocols in place to prevent these types of situations which happen all too often.

Tristin had participated in a survey to improve satisfaction scores but instead of listening to the nurses’ resultant feedback, they were then given an online course and told to “just be friendlier.” Tristin wrote, “That’s when I began to understand your (healthcare’s) true cruelty and manipulation.”

Her computer note went on in detail about how healthcare does not protect nurses who are just doing their jobs from criminal prosecution. In fact, these nurses are thrown under the under the healthcare bus.

She then states about healthcare “you are a narcissist. I can see you for what you really are. You say you care, but you ignore us while we beg on our hands and knees. You tell us that we put up with so much. But when we dare to think we are finally going to get the love and support we deserve, we get a pizza party and free pens for the healthcare heroes.”

It saddens me to hear how true her words ring. The sad part is that this is not something new or even isolated.

When I was practicing in the hospital years ago, I would be given a holiday gift of a ham when they knew I was Jewish!

I have also heard about nurses being given rocks and were told to paint the rock with a note of gratitude for Nurses’ Week.

When you look at every hospital system, at least in my area, I see construction outside of it. The hospitals are reinvesting their profits into the building and structure rather than reinvesting in the staff that makes them profitable. When is this going to change?

My heart breaks for Tristin Kate Smith and what she endured. I wish she had received the mental health counseling she so badly needed. Perhaps emergency room nursing was not the right fit for her, but certainly there must be another place.

The risk of female suicide for nurses is twice the rate of the general female population. How many more nurses are we going to lose?

I would love to hear your comments below.

Dare To Dream

November 1, 2023 7:45 pm Leave a Comment

An interview with Stefan, a cruise line nurse from Serbia who reinvented his life, creating the life of his dreams while still being able to practice nursing!

Author Archives: Lorie A Brown, R.N., M.N., J.D.