A Queensland woman who worked as a nurse without registration has been fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $1,750 in legal costs.
The former nurse forged two registration certificates to conceal the fact that she was unregistered while continuing to work at a Bundaberg medical centre.
Janette Slater had previously been registered as a nurse, but her registration lapsed in September 2022.
Despite receiving a reminder to renew her registration and contacting the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) about re-applying for registration, she did not renew and instead took steps to hide her registration status.
Ms Slater applied for a registered nurse position at a Bundaberg medical centre in November 2022. She was hired and provided two fake registration certificates in the 18 months she worked at the centre.
After an investigation by Ahpra, Ms Slater was charged with one count of holding herself out as a registered health practitioner. She pleaded guilty in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court earlier this week.
In sentencing on Tuesday, Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees said Ms Slater’s offending struck at the public’s confidence in those providing healthcare services. He noted she resigned once her ‘ruse was busted’.
“Working while unregistered is not only unacceptable, it’s illegal. This case demonstrates the serious penalties that can apply to anyone who seeks to circumvent the law and mislead the public,” said Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner.
Registration renewal opens next week
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Chair Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey said it served as a timely reminder about the importance of registration.
“Registration isn’t just a tick-box exercise. It’s an important annual check that a practitioner is safe to practise and has completed all the necessary training and education.
“With the renewal period opening next month, I remind all Australia’s nurses and midwives that you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board and meet our registration standards to practise in Australia.”
Registration renewal for nurses and midwives opens in early April and ends on 31 May. Nurses and midwives will receive a message from Ahpra when renewals open.
For more information on registration renewal, visit the NNMBA website here
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia – Fact sheet: Registration renewal for nurses and midwives
