Florida Man With Revoked Nursing License Arrested For Using Roommate's Credentials To Work
A recent case in Florida has exposed significant vulnerabilities in healthcare hiring processes when a man with revoked nursing licenses managed to secure multiple positions using stolen credentials. In September 2025, Joseph Thomas Kinney, 55, was arrested during a staged job interview after authorities discovered he had been impersonating his roommate—a licensed nurse—to apply for nursing positions and continue to work throughout Florida.
About The Investigation
The investigation began in August 2025 when an alert hiring manager at Ridgecrest Health and Rehab Center in DeLand noticed inconsistencies in Kinney's application and reported suspicious activity to authorities. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office subsequently arranged an undercover operation, setting up a fake job interview where they arrested Kinney after he presented fraudulent nursing credentials.
According to investigation details, Kinney had applied for between 10 and 15 nursing positions using his roommate's license number and personal information. More concerning, he had successfully obtained two short-term positions in Seminole and Orange counties, though he was terminated from both after working less than a week at each location.
Kinney’s Revoked Nursing License
The case is particularly troubling given Kinney's professional background. Records show his original nursing licenses in Alabama, California, and Florida were revoked in 2022 due to multiple violations, including,
- Drug diversion from employers
- Providing false information on applications
- Driving under the influence
- Unprofessional conduct
Charges
Florida law takes healthcare credential fraud particularly seriously, making it illegal to even apply for healthcare positions without valid licensure. Kinney now faces,
- Two felony counts of practicing healthcare without a license and was held on $20,000 bond at Volusia County Jail.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has also joined the investigation, suggesting potential federal charges may follow.
Key takeaways from the NCSBN’s 2024 guidance on fraud detection in nursing:
For employers, this case highlights several important considerations regarding credential security. Nurse license verification should be a multi-step process that includes:
- Direct verification with state licensing boards rather than relying solely on presented documents
- Photo identification matching during the interview process
- Thorough background checks that span multiple states
- Verification of employment history with direct supervisor contact
- Attention to gaps in employment history or inconsistencies in application materials
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) credential fraud cases have increased recently, with identity theft being the most common form. These incidents put patients at risk while undermining trust in legitimate nursing professionals.
This guidance is aimed at nursing educators, employers, accreditors, and other credential evaluators. It highlights the importance of vigilance against fraudulent activity—such as falsified transcripts, counterfeit licenses, or misrepresented credentials—that can threaten patient safety and undermine public trust in the profession.
- Red flags to watch for: Inconsistent or suspicious documentation, applicants unable to corroborate their nursing program, unusual grading patterns—these are potential indicators of fraud.
- Best practices: Employers and institutions should reinforce policies, implement standardized credential verification steps, provide systematic staff training, and maintain open lines for reporting concerns.
The guidance underlines the broader regulatory context—fraud prevention fortifies public safety and preserves the integrity of the nursing profession.
Identity Protection: Advice For Nurses
For nurses concerned about protecting their professional identity, experts recommend:
- Regularly monitoring your license status through your state board's verification portal
- Setting up alerts for when your license number is used in verification systems (when available)
- Reporting missing or stolen identification documents immediately
- Being cautious about where physical copies of licenses and credentials are stored
- Regularly checking credit reports for suspicious activity that might indicate identity theft
As this case proceeds through the legal system, it serves as an important reminder that protecting nursing credentials is a shared responsibility between individual practitioners, healthcare facilities, and regulatory bodies.
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