Nursing Imposters

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I was browsing the Texas Board of Nursing site today out of curiosity. Well, somehow in all of my reading, I came across the imposter alert section for the last ten years. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely scary that these people were able to get away with what they did for quite some time but some of the scenarios were downright horrifying. One woman managed to work as a school nurse for TEN YEARS posing as a registered nurse. How does one manage to slip through the cracks like that? How does an otherwise respectable school district, hospital, nursing home, staffing agency or institution let something like this occur? Call me naive but I just never imagined people doing such a thing. You could KILL someone because you don't have the education, knowledge, and licensing to back you up. How absolutely terrifying.

Do any of you have any stories similar to the one I mentioned? Have you worked with someone who was an imposter or know of someone who did this?

I've had lots of patients (and visitors) tell me they were nurses when, upon further conversation, it was quite clear that they were not. I've never felt the need to look them up on the Board of Nursing License Verification website however. If they want to claim to be nurses while they're patients or visitors of patients in the hospital, it's no skin off my nose. It makes them look ignorant, but whatever. Now if they were attempting to WORK in my hospital, that would be different. I don't understand why you'd feel the need to flag their charts, either.
I flagged their charts because their behavior, in addition to other things they were saying and doing was consistent as someone who was drug seeking. Theyve had multiple admissions for the same problem. I dont want to go into further detail. And my Charge agreed with me, that's why we did it.
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Specializes in ER.
I have a classic example of an impostor: a patient who represents herself as a nurse. I had this happen recently on two separate occasions. Out of curiosity, I actually looked up both of their names on the Texas BON verify a license website for either RN, LVN, or GN. Couldn't confirm both. And I tried the full names that was given on their chart. So I passed that on to my Charge and during shift report that these two idiots told me they were nurses. Their charts got immediately flagged and their names were ran on the High Alert database. I don't know what happened after that but what a great way to get unwanted attention in a short period of time.

That reminds me of an outrageous patient with an established drug/alcohol problem. I disbelieved her when she told me she had been a nurse (she was living on the street)

I looked her up on the BON site, and indeed, she had lost her nursing license for diverting drugs.

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I have a classic example of an impostor: a patient who represents herself as a nurse. I had this happen recently on two separate occasions. Out of curiosity I actually looked up both of their names on the Texas BON verify a license website for either RN, LVN, or GN. Couldn't confirm both. And I tried the full names that was given on their chart. So I passed that on to my Charge and during shift report that these two idiots told me they were nurses. Their charts got immediately flagged and their names were ran on the High Alert database. I don't know what happened after that but what a great way to get unwanted attention in a short period of time.[/quote'] Flagged for what? Why did you go out of your way to look them up? Just curious.

Eta: I saw your response. Still doesn't make much sense, but whatever.

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I've had lots of patients (and visitors) tell me they were nurses when upon further conversation, it was quite clear that they were not. I've never felt the need to look them up on the Board of Nursing License Verification website however. If they want to claim to be nurses while they're patients or visitors of patients in the hospital, it's no skin off my nose. It makes them look ignorant, but whatever. Now if they were attempting to WORK in my hospital, that would be different. I don't understand why you'd feel the need to flag their charts, either.[/quote']

I didn't see your post before I quoted them as well. Lol

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Um if its illegal in their state then its illegal, patient, employee, or whatever what's so hard to believe about that lol.

I've had lots of patients (and visitors) tell me they were nurses when, upon further conversation, it was quite clear that they were not. I've never felt the need to look them up on the Board of Nursing License Verification website however. If they want to claim to be nurses while they're patients or visitors of patients in the hospital, it's no skin off my nose. It makes them look ignorant, but whatever. Now if they were attempting to WORK in my hospital, that would be different. I don't understand why you'd feel the need to flag their charts, either.
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I have a classic example of an impostor: a patient who represents herself as a nurse. I had this happen recently on two separate occasions. Out of curiosity I actually looked up both of their names on the Texas BON verify a license website for either RN, LVN, or GN. Couldn't confirm both. And I tried the full names that was given on their chart. So I passed that on to my Charge and during shift report that these two idiots told me they were nurses. Their charts got immediately flagged and their names were ran on the High Alert database. I don't know what happened after that but what a great way to get unwanted attention in a short period of time.[/quote']

It strikes me as weird you do that sort of thing. What did you gain by searching? Maybe they were licensed in a different state.

I am not being critical nor am I attacking you. I know intent is hard to read online, so I am just being clear about my intent.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I used to work with a male RN who would introduce himself to families as "Dr. So-and-So's associate". Inferring that he was an MD to them.

I informed Dr. So-and-So about this little tidbit - he was not amused.

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

I'll bet Dr. So-and-So had a very harsh talk with this guy. Why would this RN do such a thing? He should be PROUD to be an RN! I know when I become an RN, I'll definitely be proud! It is hard work earning that degree and licensure.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

llg: someone in HR was not doing their job. We have audits periodically

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

not only audits, but our HR/Education database allows us to enter "deadlines". So if a license or cert is due in the future we can run off reports and catch things before they happen. At least, that is the intent

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I'll bet Dr. So-and-So had a very harsh talk with this guy. Why would this RN do such a thing? He should be PROUD to be an RN! I know when I become an RN, I'll definitely be proud! It is hard work earning that degree and licensure.

The short answer is: He was a jerk.

The long answer is: He eventually got fired for making an egregious error with a critically ill patient and lying about being overseas with the National Guard (this was in the 80s- long before the current problems overseas). After he got fired, the news broke about the Orville Lynn Majors case- except the news outlets did not name him at first. This was in our fired nurse's hometown- and we were just SURE it was our guy at first! That's how bad he was.

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Specializes in retired from healthcare.

I worked in a place once where a confused patient was refusing her pills so they got one of the male R.N.s to pretend he was the doctor and she would take her pills when he was there because she believed them. I never thought there would be a legal issue with something like this.

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