In the past year, I have seen a significant increase in the number of prosecutions for nurses who have been accused of falsifying timesheets and medical records. In particular, the increase in prosecutions usually occurs with home healthcare nurses,
If you have been accused of fraud by falsifying timesheets or patient records, you should not answer any questions until you have retained an attorney.
In many cases, you could be subject to a criminal arrest and prosecution.
If the falsification of timesheets is related to patients on Medicare or Medicaid, you could be precluded from employment at any job where federal funds are received.
If you hire an attorney experienced in healthcare law, he or she can advise you of what, if anything, should be said to an employer or an investigator from the Licensing Board.
If you are prosecuted by the Nursing Board, you could receive anything from probation to an active suspension of your nursing license depending on the severity of the offense.