Connecticut Board Acts on Florida Nursing School Degrees
State regulators charge one nurse and clear another following an investigation into fraudulent credentials from Florida schools.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing has issued charges against nurse Marie Merville while clearing nurse Shirley Moreta of wrongdoing. The move comes as officials continue to address the fallout from investigations into fraudulent degrees issued by Florida for-profit nursing schools.
Why it matters
State authorities are prioritizing public safety by auditing nurses who received credentials from institutions currently under federal indictment for selling fake degrees. These actions aim to ensure all licensed healthcare professionals have completed the necessary clinical and classroom hours.
Over 100 nurses have lost or surrendered their Connecticut licenses due to fraudulent degree investigations since late 2022. Marie Merville is currently facing charges after applying for licensure in April 2025.
The players
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing
This state regulatory body is responsible for licensing nurses and ensuring that healthcare professionals in Connecticut meet established educational and safety standards.
Marie Merville
A nurse who is facing formal charges from state regulators after allegedly obtaining a nursing degree from a Florida school without completing the mandatory clinical training.
Shirley Moreta
A nurse who was cleared by the state board after providing documentation to prove she completed her clinical work and classroom requirements in Florida.
Connecticut Department of Public Health
This state agency investigates potential public health risks and oversees the administration of nursing licenses to ensure compliance with state statutes.
Med-Life Institute
A Florida-based for-profit school that has been the subject of federal indictments regarding the issuance of fraudulent nursing credentials.
The details
The Connecticut Department of Public Health determined that Merville, who graduated from Med-Life Institute in 2021, failed to complete required clinical or classroom training. Conversely, a panel cleared Shirley Moreta after she presented evidence confirming her in-person attendance and clinical work.
Timeline
Marie Merville earned a degree from Med-Life Institute in 2021.
Connecticut licensing actions began following investigations in late 2022.
Marie Merville applied for a Connecticut nursing license in April 2025.
Shirley Moreta had her license suspended from May 2026 until August 2026.
The board approved charges against Merville and cleared Moreta on October 16, 2026.
Market Landscape
This regulatory cleanup mirrors the broader industry efforts following the Operation Nightingale investigation into diploma mills. The board's actions reflect an ongoing effort to restore confidence in the nursing workforce by purging fraudulent credentials from the state register.
Patients and healthcare employers in Connecticut should be aware that the state continues to actively verify the legitimacy of nursing credentials to ensure quality care. These ongoing investigations may result in future adjustments to staffing levels as regulators process additional license reviews.
The takeaway
Patients can verify the status of a nurse's license through the official state health department portal to ensure their provider is properly credentialed. Regulatory oversight remains elevated for those with nursing degrees originating from certain out-of-state for-profit institutions.
Further reading
For more information on state requirements, visit the Connecticut Nursing Jobs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hour.
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