Colorado nurse licensing officials, like nurse licensing officials nationwide, are likely closely following the massive Florida nursing school fraud scandal and preparing to investigate and discipline nurses with fraudulent credentials from the now-closed Florida nursing schools.
If you are a Colorado-licensed nurse with education credentials from one of the suspect Florida nursing schools, national professional license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's License Defense Team are ready to represent you before Colorado nurse licensing officials and with your nursing employer. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for skilled help fighting your Colorado nursing license issues.
Federal Charges over Florida Nursing School Fraud Scandal
The federal Department of Health & Human Services worked closely with state licensing officials in its Operation Nightingale enforcement action. Operation Nightingale led to federal court criminal fraud charges claiming that officials at these Florida nursing schools sold fake degrees and transcripts to thousands of African and Haitian immigrants and other individuals across the country:
- Sacred Heart International Institute;
- Quisqueya Health Care Academy;
- Quisqueya School of Nursing called Sunshine Academy;
- MedLife Institute West Palm Beach;
- Palm Beach School of Nursing; and
- Siena College.
Nationwide State Board of Nursing Investigations
The involved Florida nursing schools have since closed. But thousands of nurses have used their credentials from the previously accredited but now suspect schools for state licensure. Many are working at nursing jobs across the country. Yet Operation Nightingale alerted state licensing officials to the identities of many nurses with the suspect credentials. A National Council of State Boards of Nursing press release and other public reports indicate that those nursing boards have been cooperating with federal officials. State boards have notified nurses holding suspect credentials, demanded that the nurses prove their credentials' credibility, and suspended or demanded the surrender of their licenses. Some boards have already revoked licenses and begun proceedings to do so. If you hold suspect credentials from one of the Florida nursing schools, prepare for Colorado license disciplinary proceedings against you.
Colorado Board of Nursing Licensing Authority
Colorado's Nurses and Nurse Aides Practice Act authorizes the Colorado Board of Nursing to establish educational standards for a license to practice nursing in Colorado. The Act's Section 12-255-209 expressly authorizes the Colorado Board of Nursing to deny, suspend, or revoke the license of any nurse who “[h]as procured or attempted to procure a certificate by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, misleading omission, or material misstatement of fact.” The Act's Section 12-255-212 provides for protective procedures for nurses accused of credential fraud or other misconduct.
Colorado Employer Investigations of Nurses
Colorado healthcare employers have the same obligations as the Board of Nursing to ensure the qualifications of their nurses. Employers nationwide have been suspending or terminating nurses with suspect credentials from the Florida nursing schools, unless they can prove to state licensing officials and the employer that their credentials are credible. Even if you avoid state license disciplinary proceedings, your Colorado employer may take its own action unless you are prepared to defend the fraud allegations.
Colorado License Defense Attorney Services
National professional license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team have successfully represented hundreds of professionals in Colorado and across the country in professional licensing issues. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for premier Colorado nursing license defense representation.
