New Orleans, LA — A 32-year-old New Orleans woman is accused of posing as a licensed practical nurse at multiple health facilities across the metro area over the past year, treating more than 1,200 people before a hospital audit exposed the scheme, police said.
Authorities identified the suspect as Shakennya Cooper, who was arrested Friday and booked into Orleans Parish Prison on charges that include illegal possession of stolen things and practicing without a license, according to New Orleans Police Department records. Her bond was set at $10,000 pending an arraignment set for Nov. 18.
Investigators say Cooper used stolen credentials tied to a real nurse to secure shifts in emergency care, correctional health, behavioral health and long-term care settings between October 2024 and this month. No patient deaths or confirmed injuries have been linked to her work, but state and federal probes are ongoing.
How the scheme unraveled
The case surfaced Nov. 12 during a credentialing review at University Medical Center New Orleans (UMCNO), where a routine license check failed to verify Cooper’s status, according to police affidavits. Hospital officials alerted authorities and launched an internal review of surveillance and payroll records.
When officers searched Cooper’s residence, they seized forged documents and a laptop investigators say was used to support the ruse. Digital forensics are examining whether the credentials were obtained through a broader data breach. The Louisiana Board of Nursing is assisting in the verification review.
UMCNO officials said they found no adverse events tied to Cooper’s shifts but have notified patients who may have been treated by her and are offering no-cost re-evaluations. “We have zero tolerance for fraud,” UMCNO CEO Dr. Jeffrey Elder said in a statement. “We’re taking every step to ensure patient safety and trust.”
Multiple facilities affected
Records reviewed by investigators indicate Cooper worked in clinical roles at several locations, including UMCNO, Tulane Medical Center’s outpatient clinic, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office jail medical unit, Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, Beacon Behavioral Hospital in Kenner, and Ferncrest Manor Living Center, a nursing home in New Orleans East.
Authorities estimate she interacted with more than 1,200 patients across those sites, including administering medications, drawing blood, and monitoring vital signs. Facilities have begun contacting patients and families by certified mail. Ferncrest, a 150-bed nursing home, temporarily paused new admissions while it reviews medication administration records and staffing rosters.
“This is a betrayal of public trust,” NOPD spokesperson Capt. Ryan Peralta said. “We are working with state health officials and the nursing board to determine the full scope and ensure accountability.”
Statewide audit and federal interest
The Louisiana Department of Health has launched a statewide review of nurse credentialing practices, focusing on real-time license verification and background checks, according to state officials. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is assisting due to potential interstate credential theft.
Regulators say the case underscores staffing and verification gaps that have persisted since the pandemic. Louisiana’s nurse shortage and high turnover have pushed hospitals, behavioral health providers, correctional facilities and nursing homes to rely on rapid hiring, which experts say can strain oversight. “These incidents thrive in high-vacancy environments,” said a healthcare fraud analyst familiar with the investigation. “Verification systems must keep pace.”
What comes next
Cooper allegedly earned roughly $45,000 to $55,000 across the various jobs, based on payroll records cited by investigators. If convicted, she could face fines and jail time for the alleged fraud and unauthorized practice. Meanwhile, providers are bracing for higher verification costs, potential malpractice claims, and renewed scrutiny from state and federal regulators.
Families of affected patients are demanding answers. One daughter of a Ferncrest resident with dementia voiced fears about medication errors, calling the situation “terrifying” and urging swift reforms. Providers say they are tightening pre-employment screening and moving to automated license checks that pull from national databases in real time.
“We’re enhancing verification protocols across the board,” Beacon Behavioral Hospital said in a statement, noting a review of all hires dating back to 2024. Industry sources say similar steps are underway at facilities across the region.
As notifications go out and records are reviewed, state officials emphasize that patients who believe they were treated by Cooper should contact their provider. Any significant findings, they say, will be reported to families and regulators as the investigation continues.
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