Fake nurse who treated hundreds of patients in Kingston sentenced to house arrest
A 24-year-old woman from Kingston, Ontario, Madeline Stenhouse, has been sentenced to house arrest after being caught for forging nursing credentials and treating approximately 200 patients before being discovered. The judge, Justice Alison Wheeler, considered Stenhouse’s youthfulness as a reason for showing restraint in sentencing.
Stenhouse appeared in court wearing a black suit and glasses, nodding as the judge described her actions as a result of immaturity in dealing with her failure in nursing school. She was sentenced to two years less a day, to be served in the community, including 18 months of house arrest. Additionally, she was ordered to complete 240 hours of community service with the Elizabeth Fry Society and pay $40,000 to the University Hospitals for Kingston Foundation.
Justice Wheeler emphasized the importance of patients being cared for by professionals in the healthcare system, stating that Stenhouse’s conduct was calculated, sustained, and had the potential to harm a wide range of medically vulnerable individuals. Stenhouse had pleaded guilty to defrauding Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) of more than $5,000 and using a forged document.
Court heard that Stenhouse repeatedly lied about her education level and provided falsified credentials, including a photo of a degree she had not earned and a doctored screenshot from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) website. The Crown prosecutor called for a jail sentence to deter others from impersonating healthcare workers, highlighting the seriousness of Stenhouse’s actions.
Stenhouse apologized in court, acknowledging the seriousness of her actions and expressing regret for her deception. She had initially applied to work as a nursing assistant in April 2021, providing false information about her education and background. Despite multiple opportunities to come clean, Stenhouse continued to deceive the hospital and treat patients without proper training.
The hospital only discovered Stenhouse’s deception when she was asked to provide her college registration number, which she failed to do. She was subsequently fired, and it was revealed that she had treated around 200 patients during her time at the hospital. The hospital has since implemented changes to its hiring and training practices to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In conclusion, Stenhouse’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of dishonesty and fraud in the healthcare system. Patients trust that they are being cared for by qualified professionals, and any breach of that trust can have serious consequences. Stenhouse’s sentence of house arrest and community service reflects the severity of her actions and serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and honesty in healthcare.
