The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed how suspended Kenyan nurses beat the system to obtain fake diplomas and gain lucrative employment in various US hospitals.
Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) suspended the quartet accused of purchasing fake nursing school accreditation, allowing them to skip classwork and move straight on the exams.
According to the FBI , counterfeit documents allowed individuals to sit for the National Council Licensing Exam for registered nurses.
They allegedly obtained a state nursing license, and subsequently obtained employment in various healthcare facilities across several states, including Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland, Georgia, and Texas.
The growing scandal involved several nursing schools based in South Florida.
Official records indicated that most defendants were nursing school recruiters,owners and managers outside of Florida.
"What is disturbing about this investigation is that there are over 7,600 people around the country with fraudulent nursing credentials who are potentially in critical healthcare roles treating patients," stated Chad Yarbrough, a special agent with the FBI in Miami, in charge of the investigation.
Markenzy Lapointe, US attorney for the Southern District of Florida, argued that the diploma scandal risked ruining reputation of the nursing profession.
"Not only is this a public-safety concern, it also tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually complete the demanding clinical and course work required to obtain their professional licenses and employment," Lapointe stated.
Following the scandal, which also roped in Nigerian nurses, FBI and other relevant bodies launched an extensive review of the nursing certificates in the US.
Nursing schools involved in the scandal risk being shut down in the latest crackdown. while the nurses face deportation.
The reports came amidst plans by Kenyan government to strike a deal with President Joe Biden's administration for various trade deals including securing employments for nurses and other professionals.
