Maine nurses face the same state licensing board disciplinary risk that national nursing journals and media report in other states, following the closure of several Florida nursing schools involved in a massive alleged fraud scheme.
Maine nurses holding suspect credentials from the involved Florida nursing schools need skilled license defense services to defend their employment and prepare for nursing board disciplinary proceedings. The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team and national license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento are available in Maine for fraud scandal license defense. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for skilled help fighting your Maine nursing license issues.
Operation Nightingale Nursing School Fraud Allegations
State nurse licensing boards have been working with FBI agents and federal HHS officials on the Operation Nightingale enforcement action relating to the massive Florida nursing school credential fraud scheme. Criminal fraud charges that U.S. attorneys filed in Miami, Florida, brought the nationwide enforcement action to light. Those criminal charges allege the sale of thousands of fake nursing degrees and transcripts from these Florida schools, for which aspiring nurses paid up to $15,000:
- 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.
Nationwide Operation Nightingale Impacts
While the criminal charges brought the Florida nursing school fraud scandal to light, the scandal's nationwide impact may be just beginning for thousands of nurses with suspect credentials. Federal officials allege that nurses used the fake credentials for licenses and jobs at hospitals and other healthcare providers around the country. Officials also allege nurses got admitted to other nursing schools using the bogus credentials, enabling them to earn other nursing degrees. Licenses, jobs, and degrees are all now at risk around the nation, adding to the stress of unprecedented nurse shortages.
Nationwide Nursing Board Investigations
Maine's nurse licensing officials are doubtless watching licensing proceedings going on in other states involving the Florida nursing school fraud scandal. State nursing boards around the nation acknowledge license investigations and revocations for nurses involved in the scandal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing representing those state officials has declared their strongest support in revoking licenses to protect patients and the public. Maine nurses should expect state license disciplinary proceedings if they hold credentials from the suspect Florida nursing schools.
Maine Board of Nursing Investigation Authority
Maine's Nurse Practice Act expressly establishes the Maine Board of Nursing to protect the public against substandard nursing. The Act's Section 2101 requires nurses seeking a license to submit evidence of their educational and other qualifications. Section 2105-A makes the first ground for license suspension or revocation “[t]he practice of fraud or deceit in obtaining a license under this chapter.” The same section describes the protective procedures the Board of Nursing must offer a nurse who disputes the Board's misconduct charges. Maine officials will rely on these provisions to investigate your license if your credentials include suspect education at the closed Florida nursing schools. You and your retained counsel, though, may also rely on the protective procedures to prove those credentials credible.
Maine Nurse Employer Investigations
Maine healthcare employers will surely follow the lead of employers in other states who have suspended or terminated the employment of nurses who cannot prove credible their suspect credentials from the closed Florida nursing schools. Employers have offered employees procedures to show the authenticity of their education at those schools. But the procedures can require evidence that is difficult to discover and provide.
License Defense Services for Maine Nurses
The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team and national license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento have helped hundreds of professionals with their professional licensing issues. Those satisfied professionals give Maine nurses facing the nursing school fraud scandal good reason to likewise retain the Lento Law Firm. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for the qualified help you need to fight for your Maine nursing license.
