Nurse Gets License Back After Admitting To Buying a Fake Nursing Degree and It Was Revoked

An Iowa nurse who admitted to purchasing fraudulent credentials has been granted a new license to practice after previously having his license revoked. 

Enome Massango of West Des Moines originally obtained his Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in 2018 and Registered Nurse (RN) license in 2021 from the Iowa Board of Nursing. However, in January 2022, both licenses were revoked after Massango admitted to knowingly purchasing fake transcripts and diplomas from an individual named Musa Bangura as a "shortcut" to completing a legitimate nursing education, according to board records as reported by local news.

Massango acknowledged that his "educational program" as an LPN consisted merely of a single-day "review course" rather than the comprehensive curriculum required for proper nursing education.

Despite these serious ethical breaches, Massango worked for approximately four years at various healthcare facilities. During this period, he provided care to vulnerable patients without having completed the education necessary to ensure competent practice.

The case connects to a broader national concern about diploma mills in nursing education. Federal officials have described operations like the one Massango utilized as "diploma mills" that provide credentials without delivering proper education or training. The implications for patient safety are significant, as nurses who haven't completed proper education may lack critical knowledge and skills necessary for safe practice.

While state licensing boards typically have discretion to reinstate licenses under certain circumstances—such as completion of remedial education, demonstration of rehabilitation, or meeting specific requirements—the decision raises important questions about professional accountability in nursing.

For practicing nurses who completed legitimate education programs—often involving years of rigorous study, clinical practice, and financial investment—cases like Massango's may feel particularly troubling. 

A representative from the Iowa Board of Nursing told Nurse.org, "DIAL does not comment on board action."

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