Feds: 3 South Florida nursing schools sold 7,600 fake degrees; 25 charged

[Hortensis]

3. Fortunately, they have the identities of all purchasers.

I was shocked initially and wondering how on earth they could do the job, but many are already working in healthcare. Makes sense. Some will also be working in aspects of business that require nursing degrees.

Many of those who bought the phony degrees had health care experience, Lapointe said, including licensed practical nurses.

“Whether or not you passed the licensing test, to me, that’s beside the point,” he said. “To me, if you pass the test, but you haven’t done (required clinical modules), that’s no redemption in any way whatsoever.”

Lapointe said agents have alerted nursing boards across the country about the fraud. ... Officials said they have not learned of any harm to patients linked to those who received fraudulent diplomas, but did say they are working with state licensing boards to ensure anyone who received a fraudulent diploma no longer provides care.

“We know who they are,” Lapointe said.