Delaware Nurses Association releases statement on fraudulent nursing degree schemes

DELAWARE – The Delaware Nurses Association has released a statement following Wednesday’s announcement regarding fraudulent nursing degree schemes.

The Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office of Southern District of Florida announced that 25 defendants were changed in a scheme to sell and obtain fraudulent nursing degrees for the purpose of obtaining a license and practicing as a nurse.

The Delaware Nurses Association says Delaware has been named in filings and it is suspected that numerous potential licensees are affiliated with Delaware. As a result, it is believed that defendants may have obtained a license and/or have been potentially practicing in Delaware.

We’re told public meeting records from the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation identify that, in a closed session of the Delaware Board of Nursing in Nursing in November 2022, 26 licensees were sent annulment letters.

Delaware Nurses Association President Stephanie McClellan, MBA, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC, released the following statement:

“We are deeply unsettled by this egregious act. We want all Delaware nurses to be aware of this active issue and to speak up if there is a concern regarding capacity to practice safely by a colleague/peer. This act is not a representation of our code of ethics and standards of practice nor our commitment to patients and our community.”