Buyer Beware: Stopping Fraud in Nursing Education

The current health care system demands a highly qualified nursing workforce. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has adopted the position that a doctorate should be the entrance requirement for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) by 2015. This pressure, combined with guaranteed federal student loans, has resulted in increased student expenditures. Unfortunately, money attracts fraud. To avoid deception, nursing education “buyers” must be prepared to evaluate nursing programs. APRNs have a responsibility to protect their colleagues, public health and welfare, and the integrity of our profession by promoting awareness of education fraud.