State licensing officials in Louisiana are likely looking closely for evidence that any of the state's licensed nurses have used credentials from one of the now-closed Florida nursing schools caught in the massive federal fraud scheme rocking the nursing profession.
Don't face nursing license issues related to the Florida nursing school fraud scandal on your own or with unqualified legal counsel. Instead, call 888.535.3686 or go online now to retain the Lento Law Firm's License Defense Team for premier defense representation before the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Let the Lento Law Firm's Defense Team and national license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento also help you address any related issues with your Louisiana nursing employer or your nursing school. Your nursing license and career are worth fighting to preserve.
Fraud Charges Reveal Florida Nursing School Scandal
Federal criminal fraud charges against more than two dozen officials at several Florida nursing schools have rocked the nursing profession. FBI agents gathered Operation Nightingale evidence that the defendant officials sold thousands of fake nursing credentials to African and Haitian immigrants and other aspiring nurses. The nurses allegedly used the suspect credentials for nursing licensure, jobs, and graduate education all over the country. The suspect Florida nursing schools closed in the wake of the massive scandal include:
- Siena College;
- MedLife Institute West Palm Beach;
- Sacred Heart International Institute;
- Quisqueya Health Care Academy;
- Quisqueya School of Nursing called Sunshine Academy; and
- Palm Beach School of Nursing.
Louisiana State Board of Nursing Investigations
Public reports indicate that nearly half of the nation's state licensing boards have disclosed investigations of nurses with suspect credentials from the closed Florida nursing schools. A National Council of State Boards of Nursing press release confirms that state licensing boards across the country have been cooperating with Operation Nightingale officials. Louisiana licensing officials are surely among those state officials closely monitoring the massive nursing school fraud scheme. If you are a Louisiana nurse with suspect credentials from one of the involved schools, you should be preparing for license disciplinary proceedings.
Louisiana State Board of Nursing Licensing Authority
Louisiana's Nurse Practice Act created the Louisiana State Board of Nursing to regulate nursing practice in Louisiana. The Act authorizes the State Board of Nursing to adopt educational requirements for nursing licensure in Louisiana. Louisiana state nursing regulations carry out the Nurse Practice Act.
Those regulations expressly empower the State Board of Nursing to “deny, revoke, suspend, probate, limit, or otherwise restrict licenses of individuals who violate” the state's nursing standards. Licensure is available only after “successful completion of a nursing education program approved by the board.” Section 3403.D.1. of those regulations further prohibits nurses from “selling or attempting to sell, falsely obtaining, or furnishing any nursing diploma or license to practice as a registered nurse.” Louisiana State Board of Nursing officials may rely on these provisions to investigate and discipline the licenses of nurses holding suspect credentials.
Louisiana Employer Investigations of Nurses
Louisiana healthcare employers have their own interest in ensuring sound qualifications of their nurses. Nurses lacking proper education place patients at risk. Their employers can face civil liability, regulatory action, and other institutional harm. Employers nationwide have been suspending and terminating the employment of nurses who cannot prove the credibility of their suspect credentials.
Louisiana Professional License Defense Team Services
Louisiana nurses may clearly face serious professional licensing issues arising out of the Florida nursing school fraud scandal. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team and premier license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento are here to represent you. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for highly qualified Louisiana nursing license defense team services.
