In January 2023, federal investigators charged twenty-five people in Miami as part of a scam to get counterfeit nursing school degrees and find jobs for aspiring nurses.
Associated Charges
According to recently unsealed federal grand jury charges, the defendants were involved in a scam that involved the sale of more than 7,600 counterfeit nursing degree credentials from three Florida-based nursing programs. Officials uncovered transcripts for individuals seeking nursing positions as a part of the scheme. Each of the defendants faces up to 20 years in jail.
Qualifications for Fake Diplomas
Those who acquired the false diplomas and transcripts were eligible to take the national nursing board exam. Prosecutors stated that if they passed, they would be able to seek licenses and jobs in numerous locations. The three participating institutions are currently closed.
The Miami Herald said that some of the people who bought degrees had valid LPN certificates and aspired to become registered nurses.
Incidence of Healthcare Fraud
Numerous scammers view this as a method to make quick, yet unlawful, money. Officials state that Florida, along with the rest of the nation, has been plagued by healthcare fraud. Additionally, they are concerned that over 7,600 individuals received their credentials illegally, and were in charge of protecting patient lives.
Between 2016 and 2021, the students spent a total of $114 million on falsified degrees, according to the publication. Federal officials reported that 2,400 of the 7,600 students eventually passed their license exams, mostly in New York. Nurses who were certified in New York are allowed to practice in Florida and several other states.
Although many of them could lose their certification, federal officials predicted that they wouldn’t face any criminal charges.
A Public Health Concern
Officials have argued that scams like this one hurt the reputation and credibility of nurses who acquire credentials in an honest and legal manner. Nursing programs challenge students in order to prepare them for their careers. Individuals who obtain credentials in illicit ways harm the profession. Moreover, they make the healthcare system as a whole seem untrustworthy.
Furthermore, this crime poses a threat to patient health and safety. Nurses routinely find themselves in stressful, life-or-death situations with patients. They must apply their training and understand protocols to protect their patients. Investigators have not discovered any evidence yet suggesting the nurses in question injured any patients.
In light of recent scams such as this one, it is essential that healthcare organizations filter out applicants’ fraudulent credentials. Healthcare organizations have a responsibility to protect staff and patients, and they must take steps to ensure all employees are properly qualified.
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Reference
NPR. (2023, January 27). 25 people in Florida are charged with a scheme to get fake nursing diplomas. NPR. Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/2023/01/27/1152034256/fake-nursing-diplomas-scheme-arrests-florida.
