6 Fake Nurses Busted in Texas — Board of Nursing Warns of Shocking Fraud Details

The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has released details on  multiple cases involving individuals who allegedly practiced or attempted to practice nursing without valid Registered Nursing licenses in Texas (and also New Mexico, in one case), using stolen names and credentials. Each case has been referred for prosecution.

Margarita Gonzalez

Also known as: Margaritta Gonzales; Margarita Gonzales; Margarita Gonzalez

One of the most troubling cases involved the Texas Board of Nursing recently issued an urgent public safety alert regarding a woman accused of impersonating a registered nurse in both El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. This troubling case reveals significant vulnerabilities in healthcare hiring practices and emphasizes the importance of thorough credential verification processes.

• Attempted to secure employment and practice as an RN at Mountain View Nursing and Rehabilitation and AVIR at Patriot in El Paso, Texas, in February 2025, using licenses belonging to other nurses.
• The facilities identified discrepancies in her credentials during verification and notified the Texas Board of Nursing.
• Later worked as an RN at Las Cruces Wellness and Rehab in Las Cruces, New Mexico, from February – May 2025, providing direct patient care and using “RN” credentials on official records.
• Accused of using multiple false identities and license numbers.
• Referred to the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office and the Las Cruces 3rd Judicial District Court for prosecution.

According to the Texas Board of Nursing's Quarterly bulletin, a woman identified as Margarita Gonzalez (also known as Margarita Gonzales or Margaritta Gonzales) allegedly attempted to practice as a Registered Nurse at Mountain View Nursing and Rehabilitation and AVIR at Patriot in El Paso. The impersonator reportedly used license numbers and names belonging to legitimate nurses with similar names beginning in February 2025.

The scheme was discovered when the healthcare facilities reported critical discrepancies during their verification processes. The names, addresses, birth dates, and social security numbers provided by the individual did not match valid nurse records in official databases. 

What makes this case particularly concerning is that while Gonzalez did not treat patients in El Paso, investigators confirmed she did provide direct patient care to individuals in Las Cruces between February and May 2025. This unauthorized care delivery represents a significant patient safety breach and raises questions about verification procedures across state lines. 

Luz Maria Morales Aguilar

Also known as: Luz Morales; Luz Aguilar; Luz M. Aguilar; Luz Morales Aguilar

• Worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at a Pediatric Home Health Agency in Houston, Texas, from April 8–29, 2024, without a valid nursing license.
• Used the license number of a legitimate nurse with the same first and last name to obtain employment.
• Provided direct patient care and signed documentation using the “RN” credential.
• Investigation revealed that the date of birth, Social Security number, and address provided did not match any licensed nurse in Texas.
• Referred to the Harris County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Kacosa Kumira Pleasant

Also known as: Kacosa Pleasant; Kumira Pleasant; Kacosa K. Pleasant

• Obtained employment as a Registered Nurse at a Dialysis Center in Lubbock, Texas, from June 10–November 22, 2024, using a fraudulent nursing license.
• Submitted a fake Affidavit of Graduation from the University of Phoenix to the New Mexico Board of Nursing, which mistakenly issued a multistate RN license under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
• Used that multistate license to practice in Texas and provided direct patient care as an RN.
• Texas BON records show that her previous RN license application had been denied in 2022 when the University of Phoenix confirmed she never attended their nursing program.
• In November 2024, the New Mexico Board of Nursing revoked her license after confirming the transcripts and education records were fraudulent.
• Referred to the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Courteney Virginia Curry

Also known as: Courteney Curry; Courteney V. Curry

• Worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) at an Ear, Nose & Throat clinic in Austin, Texas, from March 16 – October 29, 2020, without a valid nursing license.
• Provided direct patient care, administered medications, and signed records using the credentials “LVN.”
• Supplied a date of birth and Social Security number that did not correspond to any licensed nurse in Texas.
• Attempted to obtain another LVN position at an Austin allergy clinic using false credentials; the employer confirmed she was not licensed through the BON database.
• Referred to the Office of the Travis County Attorney for prosecution.

Britney Mai Johnson

Also known as: Britney Johnson; Britney Washington; Britney Moene; Britney Parks

• Attempted to gain employment and practice as an LVN at a long-term care facility in Houston, Texas, in December 2024.
• Used the license number and name of another nurse to apply for the position.
• Did not provide patient care, but accepted the job offer under false pretenses.
• Identified during verification by the Texas Board of Nursing; case remains under investigation.

Christina Gutierrez 

• Worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at a home health agency in San Antonio, Texas, from January 2023 – May 2025, using another nurse’s license number and identity.
• Provided direct patient care to pediatric patients and documented care as an RN.
• Her vocational nursing license had previously been revoked in 2020 for impersonating another RN.
• Repeated the same violation, falsely representing herself as a registered nurse.
• Referred to the Bexar County Attorney’s Office in San Antonio for prosecution.

The incident reflects a growing national concern regarding healthcare identity fraud. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, cases of nurse impersonation have been increasing over the past five years, with cross-state violations being particularly difficult to track and prevent. This rise in fraudulent activity is attributed to a combination of factors, including the increasing demand for healthcare professionals, the complexity of multi-state licensure systems, and the lack of standardized verification practices across facilities.

For nursing professionals and healthcare administrators, this case serves as a powerful reminder of essential safeguarding practices:

• First, credential verification should never be treated as a mere formality. Each facility should implement multi-factor verification processes that cross-reference multiple data points, including license numbers, educational records, previous employment, and government identification. This approach ensures that no single piece of information is relied upon, reducing the likelihood of fraudulent credentials slipping through the cracks.
• Second, facilities should utilize the Nursys verification system, a national database designed specifically to verify nurse licensure across participating states. This system provides real-time updates on license status, disciplinary actions, and practice privileges.
• Third, staff should be encouraged to report unusual behaviors or knowledge gaps that might indicate fraudulent credentials. In many cases, coworkers notice inconsistencies in clinical knowledge or documentation practices before formal verification systems identify a problem. Creating a workplace culture where employees feel empowered to raise concerns without fear of retaliation is critical to early detection.
• Additionally, healthcare facilities should invest in ongoing training for hiring managers and human resources personnel to ensure they are well-versed in the latest verification tools and techniques. Regular audits of hiring practices can also help identify weaknesses in the system and provide opportunities for improvement. These proactive measures not only protect patients but also safeguard the reputation and integrity of the healthcare institution.

As the investigations continue, it serves as a crucial reminder that protecting the integrity of the nursing profession requires constant vigilance. The trust placed in nurses by patients and healthcare institutions must be safeguarded through rigorous verification processes that leave no room for those who would falsely claim the title and responsibilities of this essential profession.

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