A 38-year-old woman has been sentenced to probation after posing as a registered nurse and administering medication to residents at a Maryland nursing home, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. This incident raises serious concerns about patient safety and the screening processes in nursing facilities.
Nicole Van-Horn, 38, used fraudulent documentation, including a stolen RN license and falsified degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University, to secure a position at Denton Nursing and Rehab, the Attorney General’s office stated in a January 30th press release. She worked nine shifts in August 2023, during which time she administered medications, provided patient care, and even supervised other nursing staff.
“When someone poses as a medical provider and practices without a license, they threaten the health and safety of those entrusted to their care — a threat made even more serious when their patients are elderly or disabled, some of the most vulnerable Marylanders in our State,” Attorney General Anthony G. Brown said in the release.
Van-Horn pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud, as she reportedly caused Maryland Medicaid to pay over $3,500 for the fraudulent nursing services. She was sentenced to five years of probation, with the first three years under supervision, and is barred from working as a nurse without proper licensing, caring for vulnerable adults, or working with any federal- or state-funded healthcare agency.
This case highlights the vulnerability of nursing home residents and the importance of rigorous background checks and verification of credentials for healthcare professionals. According to a 2022 report by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), “Imposter nurses pose a significant threat to patient safety as they lack the education, training, and licensure required to provide safe and effective nursing care.” The NCSBN also emphasizes the importance of “robust verification systems” to prevent such incidents.
The incident at Denton Nursing and Rehab serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate hiring practices in the nursing home industry and underscores the need for increased vigilance to protect vulnerable residents.