Updated: May 5, 2023
Names of Florida-based schools related to NCQAC's actions to rescind licenses and deny applications
In conjunction with an ongoing investigation into the legitimacy of multiple Florida-based nursing schools, the Washington state Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission’s (NCQAC) actions to rescind licenses or deny licensure to applicants have been associated with academic credentials from the following Florida-based nursing schools:
- Carleen Health Institute
- Siena College of Health
- Med-Life Institute School of Nursing
- Med-Life Institute of South Florida
- Palm Beach School of Nursing
Through a federal investigation known as Operation Nightingale these schools have been identified as participating in the scheme to issue fraudulent nursing diplomas and supporting documents.
To date, NCQAC has identified more than 150 individuals who applied for a nursing license in Washington state with academic credentials from the suspect Florida-based schools. NCQAC will deny nursing licenses to applicants whose credentials NCQAC determines to be fraudulent or don’ meet Washington state academic standards. NCQAC will also continue to rescind any previously issued nursing licenses if they find the academic credentials supporting the application to be from one of the Florida-based schools implicated in Operation Nightingale.
Because the investigations are ongoing, NCQAC is not able to release additional information at this time.
Employers are encouraged to verify the licensure of any new or existing employee through the DOH Provider Credential Search.
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NCQAC Contact:
Catherine Woodard
Director of Discipline and WHPS
catherine.woodard@doh.wa.gov