Denton woman sentenced for practicing nursing without license
MARYLAND – A Denton woman has been sentenced following allegations that she was practicing nursing without a license.
Earlier this month, 38-year-old Nicole Vanhorn pleaded guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud valued over $1500 and was subsequently sentenced to five years suspended in favor of five years of probation. The first three years are to be supervised by the Department of Parole and Probation.
In August 2023, Vanhorn reportedly misrepresented herself as a registered nurse in order to obtain employment at Denton Nursing and Rehab, fraudulently using the credentials of a registered nurse in Pennsylvania with a similar name. Additionally, she falsely represented that she had obtained degrees at the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University, but neither school had any record of her attending their institutions.
Between August 11, 2023, and August 29, 2023, Vanhorn worked nine shifts at the facility as a registered nurse supervisor, where she administered medications, cared for patients, and supervised registered nurses, geriatric nursing assistants, and certified medical assistants. By fraudulently claiming she was qualified to perform skilled nursing, she caused Maryland Medicaid to pay a total of $3,576.20 for nursing services that were not rendered.
During the probationary period, the judge ordered that Vanhorn not practice nursing unless properly licensed, be excluded from caring for the elderly or vulnerable adults, and be excluded from employment with any healthcare agency that received state or federal funding.
