'Fake nurse' arrested in Florida after seeing more than 4,000 patients

Accused of impersonating a nurse for years

A Florida woman is facing felony charges after allegedly impersonating a nurse for years, treating more than 4,000 patients in that time.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that 54-year-old Toni Marie Fuqua was arrested on charges of obtaining prescription medication by fraud, unlawful possession of prescription medication, and fraudulent use of personal identification information.

Investigators said Fuqua wore a nurse's uniform and possessed a purse and identification card resembling those of a real nurse, Agency for Health Care Administration records show. She also carried a hospital badge that displayed the name of a real nurse, according to the records.

Authorities began investigating Fuqua in April after receiving a complaint from a local hospital. The hospital told investigators that Fuqua had been pretending to be a nurse for more than five years and had seen more than 4,000 patients, according to the arrest warrant.

Colleagues and patients left shocked

A former colleague of Fuqua's at the hospital told investigators that she had no medical training, according to the warrant.

The former colleague said Fuqua would pretend to take patient vital signs and would often ask other nurses to help her figure out how to treat patients, the warrant says.

One patient who learned of Fuqua's arrest described feeling sick to learn that the person who had treated them was not a real nurse, according to the warrant.

Prior records

Court records show Fuqua has a prior criminal history in Florida, including a charge of petit theft in 2020 and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud in 2021.

She was released from jail Wednesday after posting bail, according to jail records.