Operation Nightingale Uncovers Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme
On January 25, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and law enforcement partners launched a multi-state coordinated law enforcement action to apprehend individuals engaged in a scheme to sell false and fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts. The alleged scheme involved the selling of fake and fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts obtained from accredited Florida-based nursing schools to Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN) candidates.
The individuals who acquired the fraudulent nursing credentials used them to qualify to sit for the national nursing board exam. Upon successful completion of the board exam, the nursing applicants became eligible to obtain licensure in various states to work as an RN or a LPN/VN.
The Board is working, diligently, with all appropriate nursing regulatory bodies, nursing education program providers, accreditation bodies and authorities to detect, investigate and resolve these matters as quickly as possible, including seeking revocation of any licensure obtained through fraudulent means.
The Board will continue to provide more information as it becomes publicly available.
If a member of the public has information relating to any specific nurse, please send information directly to the Board’s < complaint portal>
For additional information, please see the following resources:
Press release from the Department of Justice.
Statement from the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing.
