Minnesota nurse licensing officials rigorously investigate complaints of fraudulent nursing credentials. Those Minnesota nurse licensing officials will be closely following the nationwide nursing credentials scandal that the federal Florida nursing school fraud allegations have triggered.
You need skilled and experienced license defense team representation if Minnesota has licensed you based on suspect credentials from one of the now-closed Florida nursing schools. Retain the premier Lento Law Firm License Defense Team to represent you before Minnesota nurse licensing officials and with Minnesota nursing employers. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for the Lento Law Firm License Defense Team's help fighting your Minnesota nursing license issues relating to the nationwide nursing school fraud scandal.
Fraud Charges in Florida Nursing School Scandal
Federal officials at the FBI and Department of Health & Human Services are working closely with state licensing officials in the Operation Nightingale enforcement action involving these now-closed Florida nursing schools:
- 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.
Federal criminal fraud charges arising out of Operation Nightingale allege that officials at these Florida schools sold fake nursing credentials to thousands of minority immigrants and others around the country. Many of those individuals have used the suspect credentials for state licensure, nursing jobs, and graduate nursing school. State licensing boards across the country are notifying nurses holding credentials from the above schools of the fraud allegations involving their licensure.
Minnesota Board of Nursing Investigations
Minnesota's Board of Nursing, like other state nursing boards, regularly investigates suspected fraud in the credentials that applicants present for nursing licensure. Indeed, recent Minnesota Board of Nursing biennial reports show that the Board has investigated well over one-hundred complaints for “[f]ailure to demonstrate qualification for licensure or fraud/deceit in obtaining a license” in each of the last two reporting periods.
While those figures do not yet include Florida nursing school scandal complaints, Minnesota's Board of Nursing is sure to cooperate with Operation Nightingale officials. A National Council of State Boards of Nursing press release and other public reports indicate that nursing boards across the country have been cooperating with federal officials to investigate and, in some cases, revoke the licenses of involved nurses who cannot prove the credibility of their credentials. Prepare for a Minnesota license disciplinary proceeding if you hold suspect credentials from one of the Florida nursing schools.
Minnesota Board of Nursing Licensing Authority
Minnesota's Nurse Practice Act authorizes the Minnesota Board of Nursing to establish nurse licensing requirements, including educational standards. Section 148.281 of the Act specifically bars applicants who “fraudulently obtain or furnish any nursing diploma, license or record” or practice “under cover of any diploma, permit, license, … or record illegally or fraudulently obtained or signed or issued unlawfully or under fraudulent representation.” Section 148.261 similarly prohibits Minnesota nurses from “employing fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a permit, license, or registration certificate” to practice nursing. The Minnesota Board of Nursing may allege that using fraudulent credentials from one of the suspect Florida nursing schools would violate these provisions.
Minnesota Employer Investigations
Minnesota employers of licensed nurses may take their own action against nurses who hold suspect Florida nursing school credentials, even if state licensing officials are slow in doing so. Employers nationwide owe the same obligations to protect their patients from unqualified nursing practice. Those employers have been notifying their nurses with credentials from the suspect Florida nursing schools, requiring those nurses to prove their credentials or suffer job termination.
Minnesota License Defense Team Available
If you are a Minnesota nurse with credentials from one of the suspect Florida nursing schools, retain the Lento Law Firm's national Professional License Defense Team to represent you before the state licensing board, with your employer, and at your nursing school. Premier license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Defense Team have successfully represented hundreds of professionals across the country in professional licensing issues. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for Minnesota nursing license defense representation.
