Nebraska press outlets, national nursing journals, and other media across the nation have cautioned nurses against state nursing board investigations into suspect credentials from several now-closed Florida nursing schools involved in a massive fraud scandal.
If you are practicing nursing in Nebraska under a state nursing license, retain the Lento Law Firm's premier License Defense Team to help you fight nursing license and employment issues arising out of the Florida nursing school fraud scandal. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now to retain the special skills and substantial experience of the Lento Law Firm's Defense Team and national license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento.
Federal Charges in the Florida Nursing School Fraud Scandal
U.S. Attorneys have filed federal criminal fraud charges in Miami, Florida, against officials from several Florida nursing schools alleged to have sold thousands of fake degrees and fraudulent transcripts. Federal FBI agents and Health & Human Services officials allege in Operation Nightingale press releases that thousands of aspiring nurses, including many minority immigrants, paid as much as $15,000 for the fake credentials. The allegations include these Florida nursing schools:
- Siena College;
- Quisqueya Health Care Academy;
- Quisqueya School of Nursing called Sunshine Academy;
- Sacred Heart International Institute;
- Palm Beach School of Nursing; and
- MedLife Institute West Palm Beach.
Nationwide Impacts of the Nursing School Fraud Scandal
Nursing employers were already facing unprecedented staffing shortages before the Florida nursing school fraud scandal rocked the nursing profession. Federal officials allege that nurses have used the allegedly fraudulent credentials for nursing licenses and jobs, and to pursue further nursing education, all around the nation. The fraud allegations place those licenses, jobs, and degrees in jeopardy.
Nationwide Nursing Board Investigations
State licensing boards are showing strong support for Operation Nightingale's enforcement actions nationwide, according to the NCSBN, a national organization representing state licensing boards. State licensing board spokespersons have publicly confirmed that they have been investigating nurses with suspect Florida nursing school credentials. Reports indicate license revocations in many of those cases. Nebraska's Board of Nursing surely won't hesitate to join the other state licensing officials investigating nurse credentials connected with the Florida nursing school scandal.
Nebraska Board of Nursing Investigation Authority
If you hold suspect Florida nursing school credentials, prepare to defend your Nebraska nursing license in state license disciplinary proceedings. Nebraska's Division of Public Health publishes many disciplinary actions against the state's licensed nurses including for unprofessional and deceptive conduct. Nebraska's Nurse Practice Act establishes the state's Board of Nursing to license and discipline nurses practicing in the state. The Act's Section 38-2216 authorizes the Board of Nursing to “[a]dopt reasonable and uniform standards for nursing practice and nursing education.” Violating those standards using fraudulent educational credentials could result in disciplinary charges, although you would have a fair opportunity to defend those charges in disciplinary hearings and procedures.
Nebraska Nurse Employer Investigations
Nebraska healthcare employers, like hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare employers nationwide, will also not hesitate to investigate the credentials of any nurses holding suspect credentials from one of the Florida nursing schools. Employers may also cooperate with state licensing officials and federal investigators in identifying those nurses. Employers nationwide have already suspended and terminated the employment of many nurses connected to the scandal.
Skilled License Defense for Nebraska Nurses
The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team and national license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento have helped hundreds of professionals nationwide overcome their professional licensing issues. Protect your nursing license, job, and career in Nebraska against the Florida nursing school scandal. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now to retain the Lento Law Firm Defense Team.
