A 43-year-old woman accused of fraudulently passing herself off as a registered nurse and licensed practical nurse will remain in custody pending a bail hearing Wednesday.

Lisa Driscoll was arrested by the RNC on Monday and made a brief appearance in provincial court this morning by phone from the St. John’s lockup, occasionally coughing and sneezing.

VOCM has learned she did not appear in the courtroom today because she has COVID-19.

RNC received a report of fraud at a long-term care facility in the metro region on June 10, 2022. Police were informed by the employer that Driscoll had gained a position in the facility through fraudulent means.

They say the subsequent investigation lead to the discovery of additional instances in which Driscoll allegedly applied for and obtained nursing positions in long-term care facilities in the St. John’s area through fraudulent means.

Those facilities include Chancellor Park, Kenny’s Pond Retirement Living and Lanes Retirement Living between March 2021 and July 2022.

Police allege Driscoll applied for and was hired under various surnames including Driscoll, O’Driscoll, Strickland and Harris with a variety of first names.

She was held to appear in court on three counts of fraud, three counts of breach of probation, two counts of identity theft, perjury, breach of the Licensed Practical Nurses Act and breach of the Registered Nurses Act.

RCMP Lay Additional Charges

Meanwhile, the same woman is facing similar charges in Gander, but under a different name.

Police say 43-year-old Lisa Strickland, who was suspended as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Ontario, allegedly used the identity and credentials of a registered nurse from this province to land a job at Lakeside Homes, working there for six weeks in the fall of 2022.

RCMP say the victim of the identity theft was unaware of the situation.

They also say a quantity of prescription medications were stolen from residents of the home while Strickland worked there, adding their investigation yielded enough evidence to charge her with the theft.

Strickland is due in Gander provincial court on March 28 to face charges of identify fraud and theft under $5,000.

Police are also thanking the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses for their co-operation during the investigation.