Nurses with educational credentials from the now-closed Sunshine Academy in Boynton Beach, Florida, risk losing their nursing license relating to the Operation Nightingale nursing school scandal. Criminal charges allege that Sunshine Academy officials sold fraudulent school credentials that nurses used nationwide for state licensure.
Call 888.535.3686 or go online now to retain the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team to defend your nursing license against Sunshine Academy credentials issues. Get the professional license defense attorney services you need to fight your nursing license issues relating to your Sunshine Academy educational credentials.
Sunshine Academy Formation, Recognition, and Operation
Sunshine Academy is now closed in the wake of federal criminal charges against its officials. But referral sources indicate that before its closure, Sunshine Academy offered a certified nursing assistant program and licensed practical nurse program in Boynton Beach, Florida, to aspiring nurses. Charging documents that the U.S. Attorney's Office filed in the Southern District of Florida indicate that Sunshine Academy was an assumed name for Quisqueya School of Nursing. Johanah Napoleon formed Quisqueya School of Nursing as a limited liability company in 2014. The Florida Board of Nursing approved Quisqueya School of Nursing to offer Sunshine Academy programs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office filings. Those filings acknowledge that Sunshine Academy advertised that its graduates were “eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing.” When you attended Sunshine Academy, you had good reason to believe you were getting a credible nursing education.
Sunshine Academy Fraudulent Credentials Scandal
A Miami Herald press report indicates that Sunshine Academy's founder Johanah Napoleon pled guilty to federal conspiracy charges relating to the sale of fraudulent school credentials. Mr. Napoleon awaits sentencing, but other school officials who also pled guilty have already received federal prison sentences. FBI and HHS officials allege the sale of thousands of fake credentials from several Florida nursing schools, some connected with Sunshine Academy but others not. The charges allege that Sunshine Academy officials both created fake diplomas and transcripts and provided information to others to do so. The charges further allege that nurses used those false credentials to qualify for licensure and employment across the country.
Sunshine Academy Referring Organizations
Sunshine Academy officials did not work alone in carrying out the fraud scheme, according to federal officials. The charging documents that the U.S. Attorney's Office filed in the Southern District of Florida allege that several recruiting organizations referred candidates to Sunshine Academy for fraudulent credentials. Sunshine Academy allegedly coordinated its fraud scheme with individuals associated with one or more of these entities: Success Review International Services; New Era Professional Prep Services; Jemeron Tutoring Healthcare Services; Center for Advanced Training & Studies; Nursing Education Agency; EDUconnect; Unparalleled Review Services; Unity Health Care Training & Employment; and PowerfulU Healthcare Services. If one of these entities helped you connect with Sunshine Academy, then your credentials may be under further scrutiny.
Sunshine Academy Licensing Impacts
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has ensured that state licensing officials nationwide participate in enforcement actions relating to the Sunshine Academy nursing credentials scandal. The National Council's press release confirms that state boards nationwide have cooperated with FBI and HHS officials to investigate and revoke nursing licenses gained from fraudulent Florida nursing school credentials. Nurse licensing boards in the Northeast, Southwest, and around the country confirm license suspensions and revocations relating to the scandal. Hospital industry updates confirm how state boards nationwide are responding to the scandal. A common approach, confirmed by private documents obtained from involved nurses, is for the state board to demand that the involved nurse relinquish the state license or face a revocation proceeding. If you hold Sunshine Academy credentials, you may have already received that notice or should expect to do so.
Other Sunshine Academy Scandal Impacts
Whether state licensing officials take action or not, nurses holding Sunshine Academy credentials are also facing school and employer actions. Some nurses holding Sunshine Academy and other Florida nursing school suspect credentials have used those credentials for admission to other nursing schools where they earned a degree. Those schools have been demanding that students and graduates prove the legitimacy of their suspect credentials. Hospitals, clinics, home healthcare agencies, and other nurse employers have also been suspending and firing nurses over suspect Florida nursing school credentials.
Defending Sunshine Academy Credentials
Federal officials acknowledge in their charges that Sunshine Academy operated under Quisqueya School of Nursing's approval by the Florida Board of Nursing. When you chose Sunshine Academy, you chose an approved nursing program. Federal officials further acknowledge that Sunshine Academy advertised that you could qualify for the National Council Licensure Exam after completing your Sunshine Academy education. You relied on those representations, just as graduates of other nursing schools would reasonably do so. You also passed the NCLEX to gain your license, further proving your qualification for licensure. You may also have provided substantial and compassionate care to patients for your employer, further proving your fitness for nursing practice based on your Sunshine Academy credentials.
Fighting Sunshine Academy Credentials Issues
Make no mistake: state licensing officials have the authority and responsibility to investigate suspect Sunshine Academy credentials. Yet you should also trust that those same state licensing officials must not revoke your license without giving you a fair opportunity to prove the legitimacy of your credentials and your fitness for nursing practice. You can, in other words, fight credentials issues. And your best way of doing so is to retain skilled nursing license defense representation. Trust the Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team for your best possible outcome. The Lento Law Firm team and national professional license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento have helped hundreds of professionals and students nationwide overcome school and licensing issues. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for the best available professional license defense services.
