Wyoming State Board of Nursing officials have publicly acknowledged that they are monitoring nursing licenses for fraudulent Florida nursing school credentials in the wake of the nationwide Operation Nightingale enforcement action.
If you are a nurse licensed and employed in Wyoming under suspect Florida nursing school credentials, retain the Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team for skilled and experienced defense before Wyoming's State Board of Nursing. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for help with your Wyoming nursing license issues.
Operation Nightingale Exposes Nursing School Scandal
The Wyoming State Board of Nursing's public acknowledgment of license monitoring follows the public disclosure of the nationwide FBI and HHS Operation Nightingale enforcement action. The coordinated federal and state law enforcement initiative led to the filing of federal criminal fraud charges in Miami, Florida, against dozens of officials connected with these now-closed Florida nursing schools:
- MedLife Institute West Palm Beach;
- Siena College;
- Palm Beach School of Nursing;
- Sacred Heart International Institute;
- Quisqueya School of Nursing, also called Sunshine Academy; and
- Quisqueya Health Care Academy.
Federal spokespersons allege evidence of the sale of thousands of bogus nursing degrees and transcripts to aspiring nurses, including many minority immigrants. The allegations include that nurses nationwide paid up to $15,000 each for the fake credentials, netting the defendants more than $100 million in profits.
Nationwide Operation Nightingale Impacts
Operation Nightingale is reportedly having nationwide impacts on a nursing profession already facing unprecedented staffing shortages, according to press reportsand nursing journals. Federal officials allege that more than 7,600 nurses nationwide bought bogus credentials. If so, then thousands of nurses nationwide may now hold licenses, jobs, and degrees from other schools under those bogus credentials. Widespread loss of those jobs and credentials will surely worsen the current nursing shortages, further stressing the nursing profession and its healthcare employers.
Nationwide Nursing Board Investigations
The Wyoming State Board of Nursing's public acknowledgment of license monitoring follows state nursing board actions across the country. Many other boards around the nation are already investigating and revoking licenses of nurses who hold the suspect Florida nursing school credentials. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing urges those enforcement actions. Wyoming nurses can retain the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team to prepare to defend Wyoming State Board of Nursing investigations and disciplinary proceedings, and to appeal adverse license actions.
Wyoming State Board of Nursing Authority
Wyoming nurse licensing officials have state authority to investigate their licensed nurses who hold suspect Florida nursing school credentials. Wyoming's Nurse Practice Act establishes the Wyoming State Board of Nursing to set the minimum educational requirements and other standards for nurse licensing. The Act's Section 33-21-122 authorizes the State Board of Nursing to evaluate nurse qualifications and investigate and revoke the license of any nurse whose credentials fail to meet those qualifications. Section 33-21-145 makes it a violation of the Act to "[p]ractice nursing or nurse assisting under cover of any diploma, license, certificate or record illegally or fraudulently obtained or signed or issued unlawfully or under fraudulent representation." Section 33-21-146 further expressly authorizes the Board to revoke the license of any nurse who "[h]as practiced fraud or deceit … in procuring or attempting to procure a license or certificate to practice nursing or nurse assisting…."
Wyoming Employer Investigations
Nurses practicing in Wyoming with suspect Florida nursing school credentials may also face employer actions. Employers across the country have been investigating and revoking the licenses of any of their nurses who hold the suspect credentials and cannot prove the credibility of those credentials through detailed documentation. Employers have also turned nurses over to state licensing officials for credentials investigation and otherwise cooperated with federal and state officials.
Premier License Defense for Wyoming Nurses
The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team and national license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento are ready to represent Wyoming nurses facing professional licensing issues relating to the Operation Nightingale enforcement action. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now.
