Defendants Charged in Large Falsified Nursing Diploma Scheme

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – The purpose of licensing for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical (LPNs) or vocational nurses (VNs) is to set minimal qualifications for entry-level health practitioners, and ensure the safety of patients in the course of treatment. Part of the requirements to obtain a license for these nursing levels includes verification of graduation from an approved pre-license nursing program, as well as passing of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) test. 

Recently, there has been a noted decrease in the number of nurses that have passed the NCLEX tests, resulting in requests to lower the required passing score. As a result of complaints and requests to adjust the passing score requirements, Nursing boards in both Canada and the U.S. issued statements stating that they upheld the requirements to pass to ensure safety of patients. 

It would appear the last several years however, that some individuals found a way around the schooling requirements and passing the NCLEX test. In a recent press release from the Department Of Justice for the Southern District of Florida, more than 25 defendants have been charged in a large complex scheme involving more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas for individuals who worked at multiple healthcare facilities across the U.S., including V.A. and skilled nursing facilities. 

From as early as 2016 through 2022, owners, managers, and employees of three schools in south Florida allegedly provided nursing applicants with falsified diplomas and transcripts to obtain RN, LPN, and VN licenses across the county. The three nursing schools included Palm Beach School of Nursing, as well as Siena College of Health and Sacred Heart International Institute both in Broward County, Florida. Although now closed, all three schools were owned by multiple limited liability companies in multiple states including Delaware, New York, and New Jersey. All three schools had obtained their licenses as an accredited school from the Florida Commission for Independent Education as well as the Florida Board Of Nursing. 

According to the multiple court documents included the press release, the defendants allegedly sold thousands of the falsified school transcripts and diplomas stating that the applicants had passed their hands on clinicals and other class requirements when in fact the individuals never had completed the necessary requirements. The fake documentation allowed the applicants to take the national licensing exam in order to obtain employment as a licensed nurse. The applicants then went on to work at numerous un-named healthcare facilities across Texas, Georgia, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland.

Charges include conspiring to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. If found guilty, the defendants are facing up to 20 years in prison. 

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