Md. woman charged for impersonating nurse

DELAWARE – Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings says a Maryland woman has been arrested and charged with stealing the identity of a registered nurse and trying to use those credentials to fraudulently gain employment in Delaware.

Officials say Nicole Vanhorn a.k.a Nicole Van Horn was arrested on Monday following an investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The investigation began when a report was received regarding Vanhorn trying to use a Pennsylvania-licensed RN’s identity supported by fictitious educational and professional credentials to obtain a Delaware nursing license. It was discovered that since at least December 2022, Vanhorn reportedly used false credentials to obtain employment as a healthcare professional and managed to obtain conditional employment at two long-term care facilities in Delaware.

Officials say there is no evidence at this time that Vanhorn treated any patients in Delaware, however, anyone that may have additional information on Vanhorn is asked to contact the MFCU hotline at 302-577-5000.

Vanhorn faces felony and misdemeanor charges including criminal impersonation, identity theft, perjury, forgery, theft, and practicing or offering to practice as a registered nurse without a license. She was released on her own recognizance and ordered to have no contact with victims and not hold herself out as a healthcare professional.