Federal authorities say they have uncovered a conspiracy to provide prospective nurses with fake degrees and credentials that would allow them to take the board exam — and care for patients if they made it through despite not having a nursing degree.
The three now-closed Florida nursing schools were involved in a scheme to distribute fraudulent information to more than 7,600 people, the Justice Department alleges in recent unsealed indictments released Wednesday. .
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida has charged 25 people with involvement in a conspiracy to provide aspiring nurses with an illegal shortcut to becoming a registered nurse or practice nurse/ licensed profession, according to a press release and court documents.
Recruiters from Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Texas and program administrators at Siena College of Health in Lauderhill, Palm Beach School of Nursing in West Palm Beach, and Sacred Heart International Academy in Boca Raton is among those charged. The defendants could face up to 20 years in prison. Court documents do not identify the attorneys representing the defendant, and Modern Healthcare was unable to identify who they were or how to contact them for comment. The United States Attorney’s Office did not respond to requests for that information.
The documents allegedly forged are the tickets of aspiring nurses to qualify for the national nursing board exam, if they pass, they will be granted a nursing license. According to the Department of Justice, while the schools are based in Florida, those who skip nursing school have taken nursing jobs across the country.
According to a Gallup poll conducted last year, adults have ranked nursing as the most trusted profession for 21 years in a row. Federal officials expressed concern that the alleged scheme unfairly defiled all nurses.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe said: “This is not only a public safety concern but also tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually complete demanding clinical work and coursework. slot to obtain their license to practice and work”. “A fraudulent scheme like this erodes the public’s trust in our healthcare system.”
As a result of the alleged fraud, nurses are providing care to patients but are not morally entitled to do so, Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough said in a news release. “There are more than 7,600 people across the country with fraudulent nursing credentials who are potentially taking on critical healthcare roles treating patients,” he said.
This investigation is part of an investigation under the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services called Operation Nightingale, through which the investigation cooperates with law enforcement agencies to deal with the crime. cases that affect the safety and quality of health care.
An OIG spokesperson said in a statement: “To date, we have neither known nor discovered any evidence of patient harm resulting from these individuals potentially providing provide services to patients. The spokesperson said the OIG is working with state licensing boards to determine how best to deal with fraudulent nursing degree holders.
The American Nurses Association has denounced the alleged actions of those involved in the ring.
“The allegation that staff at once accredited nursing schools participated in this scheme is reprehensible. This undermines everything the nursing profession stands for and stands for, and goes directly against Code of Ethics for Nurses,” ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy said in a news release Thursday.
