Press report reveals that South Dakota's Board of Nursing has suspended one nurse license and denied other licenses to nurses allegedly holding fraudulent credentials from Florida nursing schools fingered in the extraordinary Operation Nightingale fraud scheme.
The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team can help you prepare for, defend, and appeal South Dakota Board of Nursing discipline. You need and deserve skilled professional license defense services if you are a South Dakota nurse holding suspect credentials from the involved Florida nursing schools. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now to retain qualified help for your South Dakota nursing license issues in the Operation Nightingale fraud scheme.
Operation Nightingale Criminal Fraud Allegations
The South Dakota Board of Nursing's public acknowledgment that it has revoked one nursing license and denied others for fraudulent Florida nursing school credentials echoes the federal criminal fraud charges Operation Nightingale officials obtained against the involved schools' officials. FBI agents and federal HHS officials claims to have uncovered evidence of thousands of nurses together paying over one- hundred million dollars for these schools' fake credentials:
- MedLife Institute West Palm Beach;
- Palm Beach School of Nursing;
- Sacred Heart International Institute;
- Siena College;
- Quisqueya School of Nursing, also called Sunshine Academy; and
- Quisqueya Health Care Academy.
Nationwide Nursing Impacts
South Dakota nurses aren't the only ones facing state board licensing issues. Healthcare industry updates, nurse journals, and media reports speculate on the mammoth national impact of Operation Nightingale's allegations that thousands of nurses used the fake credentials nationwide for licenses, jobs, and further education. Nurses having any connection with the involved Florida nursing scandals now run the risk of losing nursing degrees, licenses, and careers despite the otherwise great job prospects in the face of unprecedented nursing shortages.
South Dakota Nursing Board Investigations
The South Dakota Board of Nursing's public acknowledgments that it has revoked one nursing license and denied others for fraudulent Florida nursing school credentials tracks with other state board actions. Similar license denials and revocations by other state boards have won the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's strong support. Prepare to defend state license disciplinary proceedings and appeal adverse decisions if you are a South Dakota nurse with suspect Florida nursing school credentials.
South Dakota Board of Nursing Investigation Authority
The South Dakota Board of Nursing officials who revoked the license of one nurse and denied licenses to other nurses over allegedly fraudulent Florida nursing school credentials had the legal authority to do so, whether or not the evidence actually justified their actions. Section 36-9-2 of South Dakota's Nurse Practice Act requires nurses to submit evidence of their credentials for licensure. Section 36-9-49 expressly authorizes the South Dakota Board of Nursing to revoke the license of any nurse who “[c]ommitted fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in procuring or attempting to procure licensure.”
South Dakota Nurse Employer Investigations
The South Dakota nurses whom the Board of Nursing denied licenses relating to the fraud scandal cannot practice nursing in South Dakota. Neither can the nurse whose license the Board revoked relating to the fraud scandal. Employers across the nation have been losing nurses whose licenses state boards revoked. Employers across the nation have also on their own been notifying nurses with suspect credentials that they must prove their credential's authenticity or lose their job.
License Defense Services Available in South Dakota
You need qualified license defense services if the South Dakota Board of Nursing has denied your nurse license application or revoked your nursing license related to the Florida nursing school fraud scandal, or if you expect license discipline related to the scandal. The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team and national license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento are available to help you fight your South Dakota professional licensing issues. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now.
