In a shocking $114 million scam, three South Florida nursing schools sold a total of 7,600 fraudulent degrees. Furthermore, the schools levied a fee of $15k for every phony credential they provided.
As of now, 25 people are charged in connection to the scheme.
Read our story on: Woman Impersonating A Nurse Is Facing Charges
Those involved went on to take the NCLEX – a state required exam to practice- and passed it. It begs to ask: How did these individuals manage this feat? What does this mean going forward?
Background Information
The investigation took place in five states:
- Florida
- New York
- New Jersey
- Texas
- Delaware
According to authorities, some of the accused are in positions of leadership in nursing schools. All of the offenders face up to 20 years in jail.
In the case, the following people are charged:
- Gail Russ
- Cheryl Stanley
- Krystal Lopez
- Ricky Riley
- Norberto Lopez
- Francois Legangeur
- Reynoso Seide
- Cassandre Jean
- Yelva Saint Preux
- Evangeline Naissant
- Rony Michel
- Vilaire Duroseau
- Yvrose Thermitus, aka “Yvrose Thompson”
- Ludnie Jean
- Serge Jean
- Simon Itaman
- Anna Itaman
- Rhomy Louis
- Nadege Auguste
- Stanton Witherspoon
- Alfred Sellu
- Rene Bernadel
- Eunide Sanon
Operation Nightingale
A Florida state audit revealed low NCLEX passing rates at the three nursing schools which started raising questions. The inspector general’s office, FBI, and Justice Department began Operation Nightingale to bust the fraud.
What Does It Take To Become A Nurse
Becoming a nurse requires dedication and hard work. Ordinarily, to become a nurse in the U.S., you will need to obtain a degree from an accredited college or university. This feat generally takes about 1-2 years for an associate’s degree or four years for a bachelor’s degree.
Nursing students are tasked to complete a minimum of state-required clinical hours depending on the state. Additionally, clinical training is done at a medical facility, such as a hospital or health care center.
In addition, after completing the program and clinical training, students must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become registered with the board of nursing in their state.
Tuition is usually hefty, and the cost of clinical experience and field trips can add to the overall expense. Prices may vary depending on the state, program level, and the university you choose.
Read our story on: How To Become A Nurse
Nurse License Exam
For those who don’t know, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a state required exam that nursing students take to obtain their license. Consequently, every student must pass to obtain their license to legally work in the U.S.
With an arduous passing rate, how did they manage to pass?
The NCLEX is:
- 75 to 265 questions
- The time restriction for this test is six hours, regardless of the number of questions administered.
Any Harm to Patients?
According to officials, there was “no evidence of patient harm” stemming from the incident.
Final Thoughts
With the nursing profession being one of the most trusted for 22 years, such an incident undermines the toil it takes to become a nurse.
In sum, the case of Operation Nightingale highlights the importance of high standards in nursing education and emphasizes how essential it is to ensure that those who enter the profession are thoroughly prepared for their roles.
The incident also serves as a reminder that the integrity of nursing programs must be maintained, and any violation of this will not be tolerated. Hopefully, this incident serves as a warning to all future nurses and nursing programs alike.