Iowa Board Under Fire for Reinstating Nurse With Fake Credentials
Nurses throughout Iowa and across the country are voicing shock and concern after the Iowa Board of Nursing reinstated a registered nurse license for Enome Massango—a nurse who previously admitted to purchasing fake transcripts and diplomas, resulting in the revocation of both his LPN and RN licenses in 2022. This controversial decision has reignited debate about the integrity of the nursing licensure process and the board’s fundamental responsibility to safeguard public safety.
How Did This Happen?
Massango first obtained his LPN license in 2018 and his RN license in 2021. Board records reveal that he admitted to buying fraudulent credentials as a shortcut to legitimate nursing education, including completing only a one-day “review course” instead of a full LPN program. He then worked for four years as a nurse—including as a travel nurse—before the board revoked his licenses for fraud in 2022.
Despite this history, in April 2024, the Iowa Board of Nursing voted to grant Massango a new RN license after he reportedly completed a legitimate nursing program. Notably, board documentation indicates Massango was not required to appear in person before the board prior to being relicensed.
Nurse Erica’s Reaction
Nurse Erica’s reaction to the board’s decision is one of disbelief and deep frustration. She openly questions how the board could justify reinstating a nurse who previously admitted to purchasing fake LPN and RN transcripts, never completing legitimate training, and practicing for years without proper credentials. Erica points out the ethical violations involved, referencing multiple sections of the ANA Code of Ethics, and highlights the inconsistency of the board’s actions—contrasting this leniency with the harsh penalties often imposed on nurses for far less serious infractions. For Erica, this case is not just about one individual but signals a broader failure of the board to protect public trust and uphold the standards of the nursing profession, leaving her—and many other nurses—feeling both embarrassed and alarmed at the precedent being set.
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Ethics and Public Trust at Stake
This case raises serious ethical questions. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics sets clear expectations for honesty, integrity, and patient protection. Allowing a nurse who twice used fraudulent means to obtain licensure to return to practice undermines both the profession’s standards and public trust.
Nurses may be questioning how the board could justify reinstating a license under these circumstances, especially given Massango’s history of dishonesty and years of practice without proper training. Others point out that nurses have faced harsh penalties for much less serious infractions, making this case appear to set a troubling precedent.
Why Is Iowa in the Spotlight?
Iowa has become a focal point in the national conversation about fraudulent nursing credentials, partly due to its perceived lower threshold of scrutiny for applicants and the lack of a limit on the number of times a candidate can take the NCLEX exam. Operation Nightingale, a federal investigation into diploma mills, has uncovered multiple cases of nurses in Iowa and other states obtaining licenses with fake degrees.
What Does This Mean for Nursing?
As nurses, our primary duty is to protect the public and uphold the integrity of our profession. When boards of nursing appear to overlook egregious ethical violations, it erodes confidence in the very system meant to safeguard patients. Many nurses are now calling for greater transparency, stricter oversight, and consistent accountability from licensing boards.
If you’re concerned about the standards in our profession, now is the time to speak up. Boards of nursing must be held to the highest ethical standards—because every patient deserves a competent, honest, and well-trained nurse.
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