What was The Florida Fake Nursing Degree Scandal
A scheme in Florida involved three nursing schools selling more than 7600 fake nursing degrees and transcripts, totaling millions of dollars. This allowed people to become licensed nurses without proper training, raising concerns about patient safety and the credibility of the nursing profession.
This blog will provide information about the scandal, the individuals involved, and the schools offering fake nursing degrees.
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What is the Florida Nursing Degree Scandal?
Three schools in Florida have been accused of selling over 7600 fake diplomas in the Florida Nursing Degree Scandal. Individuals who bought these counterfeit degrees and transcripts managed to obtain nursing licenses without completing the required training.
More than 24 people, including school directors, are facing charges for their involvement in this illegal licensing and employment scheme. The operation was conducted by the Department of Justice and the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
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The act of buying and selling degrees and transcripts to unqualified individuals is a crime that jeopardizes patient health and safety. It also undermines public trust in the healthcare system.
This scandal enabled individuals to obtain licenses and jobs as registered nurses and vocational nurses in various states. The implicated schools in Florida have been shut down, and those responsible are facing legal consequences. The investigation, known as “Operation Nightingale,” was carried out by the Department of Justice and the HHS-OIG.
How Many Nurses Possesed Fake Degrees from the Florida Scandal?
Over 7600 individuals in the United States acquired fake transcripts and degrees, each paying an average of $15,000. Around 2400 of these individuals passed licensing exams to become practical and registered nurses in multiple states. Nursing licenses are intended to ensure a minimum level of qualifications and competencies to protect the well-being of patients.
Special Agent Omar Perez stated, “Purchasing and selling nursing diplomas to unqualified and willing nurses is a crime that puts the safety and health of patients in danger.” The HHS-OIG continues to investigate those who prioritize personal gain over the well-being of others.
Financial pressures may have driven some individuals to engage in fraudulent activities instead of pursuing proper nursing education. While the names of the nurses involved were not disclosed, it was reported that many of them reside in South Florida.
The fake nurses are not being criminally charged, but state nursing boards are actively revoking their licenses. Delaware has already revoked 26 licenses, and Georgia has revoked 22, with 77 licenses under review in Washington. Affected states are investigating each case and taking appropriate legal action.
Are the 7600 Nursing Degrees Fake?
Yes, over 7600 aspiring nurses purchased fraudulent diplomas and transcripts from the three Florida nursing schools. Many of these nurses were already working in healthcare, some as certified nurse assistants or in other roles, as revealed by Special Agent Omar Perez Aybar.
The fake degrees and transcripts were sold for amounts ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, allowing buyers to qualify for the NCLEX exam. About one-third of these aspiring nurses passed the exam, obtained licenses in various states, and secured positions at healthcare facilities. The scandal sheds light on shortcomings in state nursing board practices that failed to detect fake licenses over an extended period.
Nurses with fake credentials found employment in pediatric homes, veterans’ hospitals, and assisted living centers across states such as Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Georgia.
Which Are the Three Fake Nursing Schools in Florida?
Three nursing schools were involved in selling fake nursing diplomas to over 7600 aspiring nurses, bypassing the necessary training for nursing licensure. A total of 25 defendants, including diploma recipients and school directors, were charged and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The three schools in question, which collectively sold 7600 fake diplomas worth $100 million, are:
1. Siena College in Broward County
Licensed by the State Board of Nursing, Siena College in Broward County offered a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Eugene Sanon, the college’s operator, and three others were charged with recruiting aspiring nurses.
According to the criminal complaint, Sanon sold 2016 fake diplomas and transcripts, falsely claiming that students had completed the required training at the college. Siena College and its associates sold credentials to aspiring nurses, who then used them to obtain LPN/VN licenses in various states and secure employment.
2. Palm Beach School of Nursing in Palm Beach County
Johanah Napoleon owned several nursing institutions, including Sunshine Academy, Florida College of Health, Quisqeya, and Palm Beach School of Nursing. Seven nurses acquired fake diplomas from these institutions and were licensed in states such as New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, and New Jersey using fraudulent credentials.
These nurses secured positions in nursing homes serving Medicaid and Medicare patients, with one working at a Veterans Affairs-run home. Napoleon, who profited significantly from selling fake degrees, pleaded guilty to wire healthcare fraud.
3. Sacred Heart International Institute in Broward County
Sacred Heart International Institute, licensed by the Florida Board of Nursing, offered nursing programs to prepare students for practical nursing roles. According to court filings, Charles Etienne, the institute’s owner, along with two others, sold 588 fake diplomas and transcripts. The two additional defendants, Gerald Adrien and Woosvelt Predestin, completed online classes on behalf of purchasers. Adrien and Predestin are also implicated in the Siena College case.
How Was the Fake Nursing Degree Scandal Uncovered?
The Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the FBI, and the Department of Justice conducted a multi-state operation named “Operation Nightingale” to uncover an alleged scheme involving the sale of nursing diplomas and transcripts. The operation’s name pays homage to the founder of modern nursing, who established the first science-based training.
Law enforcement agencies executed search warrants across several states, including New York, Texas, Delaware, New Jersey, and Florida. More than 7600 registered and licensed practical nurses were found to have sought employment with fake diplomas across multiple states. These fake credentials falsely indicated that individuals had completed nursing training and coursework and obtained licensure, when in fact, they had not attended required classes or practical sessions.
Selling nursing degrees and transcripts to unqualified individuals is a criminal offense that jeopardizes patient safety and undermines the integrity of the nursing profession. The alleged scheme aimed to provide a shortcut for individuals to become nurses. The fraudulent nature of the credentials became apparent during an audit in Florida, which revealed poor passing rates among schools involved in the alleged scheme.
What Will Happen to Nurses with Fake Degrees?
Numerous nurses with fake credentials have found employment across different states, posing potential risks to patient health. While there is no evidence of patient harm due to fake nurses, nearly one-third of these nurses are still providing patient care. This scheme tarnishes the reputation of nurses who undergo rigorous coursework and clinical training to obtain proper licenses and employment.
The Delaware Nurses Association has expressed concerns that some fake nurses may be associated with Delaware and could be practicing in the state. Delaware was the first to announce license cancellations for these individuals. Investigators have identified facilities where fake nurses may be working and are sharing this information with state nursing boards.
State nursing boards are responsible for taking action against fraudulent nurses, ensuring they do not practice nursing. In New Jersey, 46 nurses have been barred from working, with the Division of Consumer Affairs canceling the licenses of 20 nurses and temporarily revoking licenses for 26 others listed in the “Operation Nightingale” database.
Nurses with fake credentials will have the opportunity to present their cases to nursing boards to reinstate their licenses by demonstrating appropriate training and education. The prosecutions are divided into five separate cases, with defendants facing charges related to wire fraud, which applies when fraudulent activities involve interstate communications.
The alleged scheme operated in three stages:
1. Recruiters assisted aspiring nurses in obtaining fake transcripts and degrees.
2. The fraudulently qualified recipients took the national nursing exam to acquire licenses.
3. After passing the exams, these individuals obtained licenses in multiple states and secured employment as licensed nurses.
In Conclusion
The Florida Fake Nursing Degree Scandal sheds light on issues within the healthcare system. Charges were brought forth not only to address patient safety concerns but also to safeguard the reputation of nursing and prevent financial gains. Nurses with fake credentials working in healthcare settings pose potential risks to patients’ well-being.
Nursing is a noble profession that involves caring for human life and health. It is essential to pursue proper training and education without resorting to shortcuts, as exemplified by the Florida Fake Nursing Degree Scandal.
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