A Bay City, California news article in late 2023 highlights the dilemma of prospective nursing students in California who face long waiting lists at public universities. Many students have opted to apply to expensive private nursing schools. If your family has been adversely affected by wrongful actions at a private nursing school anywhere in the United States, then seek help from the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. Contact us online or at 888.535.3686. 

Many Nursing Admission Spots Go to Private Schools 

In 2021, in California, there were 64,300 applicants for 16,600 openings in nursing schools, a four-to-one ratio. Of these 16,600 openings, fifty-five percent of these were at private nursing degree programs. In 2022, private nursing programs graduated three times the number of nursing students with bachelor's degrees in nursing as public universities. However, public universities had five times as many associate degree graduates in nursing compared to four-year bachelor's degrees. Bachelor's degrees have been preferred by some students since they reportedly lead to better opportunities for clinical placements. Private nursing programs can cost as much as seven times that of public programs. Private schools justify high costs with the expectation that registered nurses in California will earn an average yearly salary of $133,000. 

Challenges Occur in Finding Qualified Instructors in Private Schools  

Among the list of nursing student issues are the difficulties and disappointments that can come from the failure of educational programs to deliver on promised outcomes. In the years between 2021 and 2022, six new private nursing schools were added in California. The increase in private nursing programs has led to challenges in finding qualified nursing instructors in schools and enough clinical mentors in hospitals to adequately train new nurses. This issue can lead to delays in nurses entering the full-time job market. Part of the solution may lie in greater patronage of community colleges and associate degree programs in nursing. This solution could address both the financial burden on students and staff shortages at private schools.  

Operation Nightingale Exposes Fraudulent Nursing Diplomas 

Operation Nightingale involved the investigation into seven Florida nursing schools accused of selling 7,600 fraudulent diplomas and transcripts. Actions by U.S. Attorneys in Florida indicted more than twenty-five persons for participating in a multi-state fraudulent scheme to deceive nursing licensing boards into permitting fake diploma holders to sit for licensing exams. Not surprisingly, some of the Florida nursing schools that issued the fraudulent diplomas were closed due to high numbers of students with fraudulent diplomas failing their licensing exams. Students who attended these Florida schools have been notified that they may not enroll in any more courses without proving the authenticity of their educational transcript. These notices include steps that must be taken to avoid dismissal from nursing school. This places a nursing student's entire academic career at risk. If you have received any notification that your nursing diploma or transcript is fraudulent, then seek professional help from the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. Contact us today at 888.535.3686.