The Texas Board of Nursing in the United States has recently published a list of 75 individuals that are under investigation for alleged false educational credentials, with 43 of them reported to be of Nigerian origin.
The findings from the Board’s “Operation Nightingale” probe suggest that those who acquired fraudulent nursing credentials used them to qualify for the national nursing board exam. Upon successful completion, they were eligible to obtain RN or LPN/VN licensure in various states.
The Board has indicated that they are in the process of filing Formal Charges against the nurses for the purpose of investigating the alleged fraudulent gain of educational credentials.
On January 25, 2023, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and law enforcement partners initiated a multi-state coordinated law enforcement action to apprehend individuals suspected of selling fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts. The statement also noted that Formal Charges are not a final disciplinary action and nurses are allowed to work while these charges are pending.
The Board is collaborating with nursing regulatory bodies, nursing education programs, accreditation bodies and authorities to identify, examine and swiftly resolve the scheme of selling fake and fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts from accredited Florida-based nursing schools to RN and LPN/VN applicants. This includes pursuing to revoke any licensure acquired through fraudulent means.
The Board will continuously update this list with any new information regarding the fraudulent diploma/transcript scheme.