Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme
In January 2023, a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme was uncovered, raising concerns over the quality of healthcare professionals and the potential risks to public health. Nursing schools in Florida sold counterfeit nursing diplomas to people who didn’t finish school and allowed untrained nurses to treat patients.
Who Did This?
The masterminds behind the Florida diplomas are yet to be identified, but authorities have arrested 25 people they believe are involved in the operation. The suspects include a mix of healthcare professionals and administrators who allegedly conspired to produce and distribute these fake diplomas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida has released the names of the schools involved:
- Siena College in Broward County, FL
- Palm Beach School of Nursing in Palm Beach County, FL
- Sacred Heart International Institute in Broward County
These schools have been shut down. In the operation dubbed “Operation Nightingale,” over two dozen people were charged as part of the scheme, and some may receive a 20-year prison sentence.
How Long Were Nursing Diplomas for Sale?
The fraudulent nursing diploma scheme functioned by offering individuals the opportunity to purchase counterfeit nursing diplomas that appeared legitimate. The going rate? $10,000-$15,000.
The diploma slingers have been doing this since as early as 2015. Many diplomas go unchecked during the hiring process, and so these nurses slid under the radar.
What’s Happening Now?
The people running this scheme have been caught, and Florida authorities have cracked down on activity like it. They are also continuing to look for anyone else who may have been involved.
Through an extensive investigation, authorities arrested the guilty parties and confiscated numerous fake diplomas. The scope of the investigation is expected to expand as more information comes to light.
Other States Have Hired Nurses with Fake Degrees
The fraudulent nursing diploma scheme may have been conducted in Florida, but the consequences have the potential to reach every US state as nurses apply for and get jobs all over the country.
As of March 10th, 2023, 11 states have taken action against nurses found to have false diplomas. 13 more states are in the process of investigating practicing nurses in their jurisdiction.
All About the Money
The primary motive behind the fraudulent nursing diploma scheme is believed to be financial gain. The people selling diplomas saw the high demand for nursing professionals and exploited those desperate to secure a job in the healthcare industry.
This unethical practice not only compromised the integrity of the nursing profession but also put the lives of patients at risk.
Patient Harm
No one has reported a specific instance of patient harm at the hands of a nurse with a fake diploma. But with so many nurses still potentially practicing, many have concerns these reports could still be coming in.
According to the Justice Department, 7,600 nurses could be practicing right now with invalid credentials. Nurses have just been voted “most trustworthy professionals” for 20 years running, and they are not pleased with this threat to their collective reputation.
What Nurses Are Saying
The vast majority of nurses truly care about their patients. The general public (and nurses) have heard about these false diplomas, and they are…upset.
False diplomas put patients in danger. And real nurses aren’t going to stand for it.
How to Spot a Fraudulent Diploma
This fake nursing diploma situation shows how important it is to keep a close eye on who is working in healthcare. The authorities are doing their best to shut down these scams, but it’s important for employers to double-check their employees’ qualifications, too.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has given some tips on how to spot fraudulent degrees. Look for:
- Out-of-sequence degrees: If they say they have a master’s, make sure you also see evidence of a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree.
- Quick degrees: If they got their degree in six months, be suspicious.
- Mismatched locations: If the candidate worked during school, make sure their job and school are in the same area.
- Copy-cat names: Watch out for schools that sound like prestigious universities, but are worded a little differently. Think Penn State College vs. Penn State University.
The FTC also recommends contacting the school registrar for the candidate to confirm attendance and graduation. After all, we’re counting on each other to make sure our healthcare pros are the real deal and looking out for the well-being of patients. Plus, nursing school is hard. Really, really hard. Real nurses earn those diplomas!
