SCANDAL

With healthcare staffing shortages at an all-time high, the recent fraudulent nursing license story should prompt everyone to verify credentials of recently hired new clinical staff.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) collaborated with various law enforcement agencies in a multi-state enforcement action aimed at uncovering a nursing degree fraud scheme: Operation Nightingale. As it stands, 25 individuals are being charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the defendants’ alleged participation in creating a fraudulent and illegal shortcut for individuals to obtain licenses as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or vocational nurses. These individuals issued (sold) 7,600 fake nursing degrees.

The fake nursing degrees were issued to individuals from three Florida-based nursing schools: Siena College, Palm Beach School of Nursing, and Sacred Heart International Institute. These schools are now closed. The OIG is now working on identifying the individuals who purchase the fake documents and are working in health care settings as nurses.

Nurses are often responsible for providing critical care to patients, amplifying the need for practicing nurses to meet the minimum qualifications and competencies. Circumventing the system and obtaining fake nursing diplomas without going through the rigorous curriculum and demanding clinical practice of a nursing school program potentially jeopardizes patient health and safety.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fraudulentnursing-diploma-scheme-leads-federal-charges-against-25defendants