Fake Nurse Arrested During Job Interview in Florida

A man from Florida, known for his dubious schemes, was apprehended on Monday during what appeared to be an employment interview. This came after a week-long probe into his activities, in which he masqueraded as a nurse using stolen credentials from his roommate.

Joseph Thomas Kinney, 55, was taken into custody by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office after an employment manager at a nursing facility reported that he had applied with fraudulent nursing qualifications.

Kinney’s nursing license, which he had in California and Florida, was revoked in 2022 due to a series of violations. These included unauthorized absences from his workplace and driving under the influence of drugs, according to the sheriff’s department.

This same manager had previously interviewed Kinney at Indigo Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation in Daytona Beach back in October 2024. The manager remembered Kinney being visibly anxious and presenting suspicious documents, such as a driver’s license with mismatched details.

As authorities learned Kinney was attempting to apply for another job in Deland, Florida, they sent undercover detectives posing as employment coordinators.

When Kinney arrived for the interview, he was arrested without any issues. However, he appeared bewildered upon seeing five deputies and asked, “What did I do?”

Throughout the investigation, officials reported that Kinney had applied for approximately 10 to 15 nursing jobs in central Florida using the same stolen credentials. He had secured two positions in Seminole and Orange Counties but only lasted about a week each time. It remains unclear if he was let go or if he simply decided to quit.

Prior to the revocation of his license, Kinney faced disciplinary actions for multiple offenses, including diverting medication from his employer and providing false information regarding his professional conduct.

Now, Kinney faces two charges for practicing healthcare without a license and is being held in the Volusia County Jail with a bond set at $20,000.

Interestingly, just a month prior to Kinney’s arrest, another individual from Florida, located about 40 miles away, was also arrested for impersonating a nurse with a fake license for two years. During her time in the role, she treated over 4,000 patients, which raises significant concerns about oversight in the healthcare field.