The responsibility for this alleged fraud rests squarely on the shoulders of the perpetrators. This was a brazen attempt to misuse nursing education programs. This is a complex investigation. It is important to understand that the schools involved in these investigations do have legitimate graduates. The allegedly fraudulent transcripts and diplomas provided to individuals who did not attend or successfully complete the program may look just like those issued to legitimate graduates. When education programs fail to maintain the best teaching standards or try and circumvent requirements, it creates significant challenges and threats to public health. Nursing regulatory bodies are constantly working to ensure that all nurses and candidates are legitimate, and we are committed to fully resolving this matter.

This is an ongoing investigation, and each individual is afforded due process. We cannot assume that every individual identified in the authorities’ investigations obtained illegitimate educational credentials. As with any case involving potential revocation or other action on an individual’s nursing license, we are following our state’s required processes, including appropriate due process steps. For this reason and out of respect for due process, we cannot share the list at this time.

As with any case involving potential license revocation or other action on an individual’s license, we are following our state’s required processes, including appropriate due process steps. If proven that the individual’s accreditation, including degrees, was fraudulent, the state will take swift action to revoke the license.

We cannot assume that every individual identified in the authorities’ investigations obtained illegitimate education credentials. As with any case involving potential revocation or other action of an individual’s license, we must follow our state’s required process, including appropriate due process steps.

We are constantly reviewing our licensure and application processes to find ways to improve them. Through the course of this investigation, if we identify any additional safeguards and solutions that are needed, they will be introduced. Individuals identified by the investigation as possible illegitimate have been flagged in our nationwide data system so we can monitor them until their case is resolved or stop them from applying for a license in the future.

Following our investigation, if the Board has taken an action against an individual’s license, including revoking it, then the employer will be notified if they are enrolled in our free NURSYS e-Notify® notification service. If is the responsibility of employers to ensure their nurses have the correct and current licenses. There are several ways employers can do that through the Nursys® system. The state regulatory board is committed to working with employers in the state to ensure public safety.

We are working with the proper authorities to identify and revoke fraudulent licenses. If or when we become aware of possible fraud, we will investigate and take action immediately. We will continue to partner with law enforcement to detect, investigate and resolve these matters.

One cannot assume that the individuals identified in the authorities’ investigation took the NCLEX® without any nursing education. More than likely, those who were authorized to take the NCLEX based on illegitimate credentials and subsequently passed it, had previous training, education or experience at some other level of nursing or were internationally educated or trained. The NCLEX is designed to measure the level of knowledge currently required to practice competently at an entry level. It does not measure or assess whether an individual completed an education program or retained knowledge from that program.

The Kansas State Board of Nursing is constantly working to ensure that all candidates are legitimate. It is important to note that the education programs involved in the authorities’ investigations did have legitimate graduates. The transcripts and diplomas provided to individuals who did not attend or successfully complete the program may look just like those issued to legitimate graduates. When education institutions operate unethically and inconsistent with best practices, it creates significant challenges to the nursing licensure process. Nursing regulatory bodies are constantly working to ensure that all nurses and candidates are legitimate, and we are committed to fully resolving this matter.

Individuals identified by the investigation have been flagged in the nationwide database system. If they apply for licensure in another state, the board in that state can see the flag and will be responsible for addressing each case according to the state’s own procedures.

The vast majority of the nation’s more than 5.3 million nurses are competent, safe and caring individuals. Fewer than 1% of nurses in the U.S. are disciplined annually. It is important to understand that the individuals identified in this case comprise an extremely small percentage of the overall workforce, and do not represent the excellent nurses who provide top healthcare in Kansas every day.

nationwide database system. If they apply for licensure in another state, the board in that state can see the flag and will be responsible for addressing each case according to the state’s own procedures.