State licensing officials in Virginia and across the country are cooperating with federal officials who allege that several now-closed Florida nursing schools sold thousands of fake nursing credentials to individuals now practicing nursing.
You need skilled license defense representation if you are a Virginia nurse with credentials from one of the closed Florida nursing schools. National professional license defense attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's License Defense Team are available in Virginia to address your nursing license issues arising out of the Florida nursing school fraud scheme. Let attorney Lento fight for your nursing license, job, and career. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now.
Florida Nursing School Fraud Allegations
Cooperating with state licensing officials, the federal Department of Health & Human Services conducted Operation Nightingale to investigate fraud allegations involving these Florida nursing schools:
- MedLife Institute West Palm Beach;
- Palm Beach School of Nursing;
- Siena College;
- Sacred Heart International Institute;
- Quisqueya Health Care Academy; and
- Quisqueya School of Nursing, also called Sunshine Academy.
The federal investigation resulted in the U.S. Attorney's Office criminal fraud charges against more than two dozen officials connected with the suspect schools. The criminal charges accuse those individuals of selling fake degrees and transcripts to over 7,600 aspiring nurses, many of them African and Haitian immigrants.
State Licensing Board Investigations
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has issued a statement confirming that its member state licensing boards across the nation are cooperating with Operation Nightingale officials. Although many of the investigations remain confidential, Virginia's Board of Nursing officials are likely among those cooperating state officials. Public report and private disclosures reveal that several state boards have already initiated disciplinary proceedings against individual nurses, while nearly half of state licensing boards nationwide admit to ongoing investigations. Make no mistake: those investigations may lead to license suspension and revocation. Get the skilled and experienced license defense attorney representation you need if you are a Virginia nurse with suspect credentials from one of the closed Florida nursing schools.
Virginia Nursing License Authority
Virginia's Nurse Practice Act authorizes the Virginia Board of Nursing to license nurses who meet its educational and other standards. The Act also authorizes the board to investigate licensing violations and initiate disciplinary proceedings. Section 54.1-3007 of the Act specifically authorizes discipline for “[f]raud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license, certificate, or registration.” The Virginia Board of Nursing will rely on this authority to notify you of investigation and disciplinary proceedings if your credentials include education at one of the suspect Florida nursing schools.
Employer Notices to Involved Nurses
Nurse employers nationwide are also notifying their employee nurses whose credentials include education at the suspect Florida nursing schools. Those notices are, in some cases suspending or terminating the nurse's employment. Other employers are demanding that the involved nurses prove the credibility of their Florida nursing school credentials. Some employers are also referring involved nurses to state license disciplinary officials. Virginia employers owe the same obligation as employers elsewhere to ensure the qualifications of their nurses.
Virginia License Defense Attorney Representation
Just because you have credentials from one of the suspect Florida nursing schools doesn't mean that you must lose your Virginia nursing license and employment. Retain premier professional license defense assistance to help you carry the fight against your professional license issues in Virginia. The Lento Law Firm has helped hundreds of professionals nationwide overcome licensing and credentials issues with state boards, employers, and schools. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now for premier Virginia nursing license defense services.
