Operation Nightingale and Florida Nursing Education – Questions & Answers

Federal authorities identified the following six (6) schools that allegedly awarded fraudulent documents to students during the time periods specified below:

• Siena College/Siena College of Health, Lauderhill (10/2003 to 9/2022)
• Sacred Heart International Institute, Fort Lauderdale (8/2017 to 9/2021)
• Quisqueya School of Nursing LLC, (“Sunshine Academy”) Boynton Beach (10/2016 to 12/2020
• Med-Life Institute WPB LLC, West Palm Beach (10/2016 to 12/2020)
• Quisqueya Health Care Academy, LLC, Lake Worth (10/2016 to 12/2020)
• Palm Beach School of Nursing, LLC, West Palm Beach (10/2016 to 12/2020)

These schools have all been closed and are under investigation by the Florida Commission on Independent Education, which has issued interim orders finding that the schools were operated contrary to the public’s health, education, and welfare.

At this time, we have no information suggesting impropriety by individuals who attended a program during another time period. However, we continue to receive updates from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and will update our website periodically.

Available public information does not indicate whether or not all documents issued during the above timeframes are illegitimate. We expect that some licensees who attended these schools did, in fact, attend required hours and clinicals and are properly licensed. The Department is affording all individuals who attended the schools during the time periods in question the opportunity to have a qualified nursing program submit verification of acceptable education to the Department.

The Department only wrote to individuals identified explicitly by federal authorities as those who received a license in New York without completing required courses and if you are licensed and did not receive a letter, you do not need to take action now.

The Department has a duty to protect public health, safety and welfare. The Department contacted only individuals identified explicitly by federal authorities as those who received a license in New York without completing required courses and clinicals. The Department asked these individuals to surrender their licenses or have a qualified nursing program submit verification of acceptable education to the Department.

When the Department determines to take additional action, an orderly process will be communicated. At this time, the Department can only accept proof, such as a transcript from an approved nursing program that does not include credits earned or transferred from one of the above programs during the applicable time frame, as demonstrating that you have met the education requirements for licensure.

You must enroll in and complete an acceptable program in nursing for licensure as an LPN or RN, as appropriate. Verification of your degree or diploma must be submitted on an official transcript sent directly to the Director of DPLS by email (opdpls@nysed.gov), U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.). Transcripts or other educational documents submitted by an applicant are not acceptable.

No. Transfer credit from an allegedly fraudulent school cannot be transferred to another institution. You will need to complete your education at a program approved by the Education Department or one approved by another U.S. state with standards acceptable to the Department.

At this time, only verification from a qualified nursing program is acceptable education to the Department. If federal authorities inform us of any changes, an orderly process will be established, and you will be notified of your rights and options.

The NYS Education Department is responsible for licensing qualified applicants who meet the requirements in law. Any concerns or questions about fees paid to a Florida school—all of which have been closed –—should be directed to your legal representative or government officials in Florida, such as the Attorney General or the Florida Department of Education.

Yes. A licensee may submit the license parchment (8-1/2 x 11 inch) and green registration certificate at any time prior to commencement of further proceedings in an envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL” addressed to:

Director, DPLS

Office of the Professions

89 Washington Ave., 2^nd

Albany, NY 12234-1000

If you lost your parchment and/or registration, you may send a written letter to the address above indicating your desire to surrender your license voluntarily.  Please include your full name, date of birth, and contact information if you have questions. Your signature must be notarized.

The requirements for licensure in New York include education acceptable to the Department, passing scores on the NCLEX examination, and good moral character. Information that you did not meet the education (coursework and clinical) requirements and graduated from a school that was operated during the specified time periods in a manner contrary to the health, education, and welfare of the public raises a significant question as to the validity of your license and may lead to the commencement of disciplinary proceedings or other action by the Department. At this time, the Department will accept a voluntary license surrender for non-disciplinary purposes.

You may follow the requirements for valid licensure after surrendering your license. The process includes submitting a new  application and fee; having a recognized education program submit direct verification that you met the education requirements for licensure; passing the NCLEX examination; and being of good moral character, as determined by the Department. Complete information on licensure requirements is available on our website.

No. The practice of nursing as an LPN or RN is legally restricted to individuals licensed and registered or otherwise authorized under Article 139 of the Education Law.

No. Licensure requires acceptable education, including coursework and supervised clinical instruction, passing the examination, and good moral character. Work experience does not substitute for clinical instruction supervised by a qualified nurse educator as part of an education program acceptable to the Department.

Depending on your education, training and other qualifications, you may qualify for an occupational title regulated by the state Department of Health or another agency. You must contact that agency for information about the requirements for certification and job opportunities.

The Department, acting upon information provided by federal authorities regarding fraudulent education, is considering all available options and may take additional steps, including but not limited to the following:

• cancellation of the NCLEX scores,
• issuance of a cease and desist order,
• summary suspension of your license or registration,
• obtaining a restraining order,
• recission of your license,
• commencement of disciplinary proceedings.

Such actions would be a matter of public record and conducted in accordance with Article 130 of the Education Law or other applicable statutes, upon formal notice to you.

You should surrender your New York license to practice as an RN by mailing that to the Department. If your New York LPN license is inactive, contact the Registration Unit at (518) 474-3817 ext. 410 or OPREGFEE@nysed.gov to request a delayed registration application. When you complete and submit the application and registration fee, you can practice as an LPN in New York for three years. You may only engage in activities within the scope of an LPN and may not provide services restricted to an RN. You can also submit the Delayed Registration Application online and selecting that option.

Your education is not considered valid if you attended one of the six identified schools and did not complete the required coursework and clinical instruction. Therefore, it should not be accepted by another education program. You must complete acceptable education and have the new school submit direct verification of program completion to the Department.

The Department anticipates providing an update to affected applicants in the coming weeks.

The New York State Education Department is actively pursuing additional information from the federal authorities and will post additional information as federal authorities allow it when it becomes available.  By law, however, given the pending criminal proceedings, certain aspects of the investigation must remain confidential for the time being.  Also, under the Education Law, potential disciplinary action by the Department against any specific individual cannot be publicized until completed.

Information provided by the federal authorities is restricted at this time. You can access information about Operation Nightingale, the name assigned to the investigation, on the Department of Justice website. The DOJ announcement includes links to the indictments. The Department does not have information about the where a licensee may practice one’s profession.

If you have an employee who you believe may have been issued fraudulent credentials, please consult with your attorney(s) and human resources director for guidance and consider speaking with the employee directly.