NLN Condemns Scheme Exposed by Operation Nightingale to Sell Fake Nursing School Transcripts & Diplomas
NLN Condemns Scheme Exposed by Operation Nightingale to Sell Fake Nursing School Transcripts & Diplomas
Integrity of Program Accreditation Essential to Assuring Valid Credentialing that Safeguards Patient Care
Washington, DC — Following the arrest last week of more than two dozen people alleged to be responsible for a multi-state scheme to sell fraudulent credentials to aspiring registered nurses, the National League for Nursing, the nation’s first nursing association and the leading voice for nursing education, has released the following statement:
The National League for Nursing was appalled to learn about the possible scheme exposed by “Operation Nightingale,” which was outlined in federal charges brought against more than two dozen people connected with three defunct Florida-based nursing schools for the alleged illegal sale of fraudulent diplomas and transcripts.
As the leading voice of nursing education, representing nursing faculty across the spectrum of higher education, the National League for Nursing stands with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and other stakeholders in public health and safety in upholding the highest professional and ethical standards for the education and licensing of nurses, which establish the foundation for the safe and ethical practice of nursing while safeguarding patient care.
Earning a nursing degree or diploma and legitimate credentials to sit for the licensing exam demands a rigorous course of academic study and clinical preparation. Accreditation provides assurance that programs meet quality standards.
The NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), an officially recognized accreditor by the U.S. Department of Education, is guided by its mission to promote excellence and integrity in nursing education globally through an accreditation process that respects the diversity of program missions, curricula, students, and faculty; emphasizes a culture of continuous quality improvement; and influences the preparation of a caring and skilled nursing workforce.
To uphold the integrity of the accreditation process, the NLN CNEA thoroughly evaluates all programs that apply through a comprehensive evaluation of detailed curricular, clinical, and other program requirements.
Any illegal activity proven to have occurred must be prosecuted to the full extent of federal and state law. State nursing regulatory boards should be empowered to take swift actions to ensure that all state programs meet the required state mandates to ensure quality education and safety of their residents.
For more information about the National League for Nursing, visit NLN.org.
#####
About the National League for Nursing
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its nearly 45,000 individual and 1,100 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Learn more at NLN.org.