Practice Tip of the Week | Fraud Detection Guidance for Employers and Educators

 

Obtaining a false nursing diploma/degree without having completed an approved nursing program; this can include a program that sells a nursing diploma/degree without providing sufficient education;

 

Individuals then use the fake credentials to apply for a nursing license, apply for a job or enroll in an advanced nursing program. Prevention requires awareness and astute detection methods. It is essential that everyone is aware that fraud exists and of some basic methods that may prevent it. To assist with this identification, basic guidance for detecting fraudulent credentials is provided.

While there is no guarantee that these recommendations will prevent fraudulent individuals from entering your institution, if your institution does not already employ these methods, they should be added to your current processes for further protection.

1. Provide initial and ongoing fraud detection training for all individuals who will be reviewing and accepting applicants for your institution or agency.

2. Identify and close loopholes that evade rules or the law.

3. Fraudulent individuals look for the easiest entry routes. If your institution/agency has fewer requirements than others, be extra vigilant.

4. Check nursys.com to ensure every applicant has a valid unencumbered license.

5. Make sure the program where the applicant graduated was approved by the NRB in the state where the program is located.

7. Review all transcripts and other documents carefully. Details on reviewing transcripts or other documents for potential fraud can be found in NCSBN’s Licensure of Internationally Educated Nurses Resource Manual (https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/23_IEN_manual.pdf, pages 19–25).

8. Educational institutions and practice settings alike should have an Institution e-Notify account and enroll all their nurses. e-Notify, a component of, nursys.com is a free nurse licensure notification system where institutions can receive real-time notifications about nurses enrolled in a nursing education program or employed at their institution. The system provides licensure and publicly available discipline data directly to the institutions as the information is entered into the Nursys database by NRBs. Nursys is the only national nurse licensure and disciplinary database. If an NRB identifies a nurse with fraudulent credentials and revokes his/her license, that information will immediately be reported to the Nursys database and to e-Notify institution account holders. Educators and employers will quickly receive a message about the license revocation and can take appropriate actions.

9. Be alert to red flags such as inconsistencies in the information on applications and transcripts (e.g., time to completion of degree, sequencing of courses, etc.) or criminal background checks. Although

a red flag does not directly indicate guilt or innocence, a red flag serves as a warning sign for inconsistency and the need for additional investigation.

10. Report to your NRB any nurse who has been deceitful, provided fraudulent information to your institution or you feel is unsafe. This will prevent these nurses from moving to another institution and threatening the safety of others. Once the NRB takes action, the information will be placed into Nursys alerting others about that individual.

It is important to recognize that the majority of nurses are honest, competent and caring individuals, so the public has no need for concern. This, however, serves as a reminder to schools and employers that there are occasional opportunists who may cover up their background to obtain a job, attend a nursing program or use fraudulently obtained credentials to pose as a nurse and seek employment.

 

American Association of Colleges of Nursing

 

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation

 

American Nurses Association

 

American Organization for Nursing Leadership

 

Missouri State Board of Nursing

 

National League for Nursing

 

Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

 

Washington State Board of Nursing

 

Laurie A. Badzek, LLM, JD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Penn State University

 

Eileen Collins, PhD, RN, ATSF, FAAN, Dean and Professor, University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing

 

Connie W. Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP, Professor and Dean, University of Minnesota

School of Nursing

 

Jennifer Doering, PhD, RN, FAAN, Associate Dean and Head of School, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Nursing

 

Nancy Edwards, PhD, MSN, ANP-BC, FAANP, Professor, Purdue University School of Nursing,

Lafayette, Indiana

 

Linda Flynn, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Rutgers School of Nursing, Chair, BTAA Collaborative of Nursing Deans

 

Eileen Fry Bowers, PhD, JD, RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN, Dean and Professor, University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions

 

Patricia Hurn, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, University of Michigan School of Nursing

 

Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, RN, FAAN, Bill and Joanne Conway Dean and Professor, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Nursing

 

Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Dean and Distinguished Professor, Indiana University School of Nursing, Deputy Chair, University Clinical Affairs Cabinet, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, IU Health

 

Patricia M. Noga, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, representing the American Organization for Nursing Leadership

 

Karen Rose, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN, Dean and Professor, The Ohio State University, College of Nursing

 

Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Professor, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison; President-Elect, American Academy of Nursing

 

Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, RN, FACDONA, Dean and Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing

 

Leigh Small, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Michigan State University College of Nursing

 

Julie Zerwic, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, Kelting Dean and Professor, University of Iowa, College of Nursing

About NCSBN

Empowering and supporting nursing regulators across the world in their mandate to protect the public, NCSBN is an independent, not-for-profit organization. As a global leader in regulatory excellence, NCSBN champions regulatory solutions to borderless health care delivery, agile regulatory systems and nurses practicing to the full scope of their education, experience and expertise. A world leader in test development and administration, NCSBN’s NCLEX® Exams are internationally recognized as the preeminent nursing examinations. 

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