Unlicensed Nurse Worked at Colorado Springs Nursing Home

State issues cease-and-desist order after finding nurse lacked valid Colorado or multistate license

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:20am

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph showing the internal metal coils and plastic components of a nurse's stethoscope glowing against a dark background, conveying the clinical and investigative nature of the story.An X-ray view of a nurse's stethoscope reveals the internal components, highlighting the critical role of proper licensing and credentials in healthcare settings.Colorado Springs Today

A Colorado Springs skilled nursing facility is facing questions after state records show a nurse, Johana Vasquez, worked there without a valid Colorado or multistate nursing license. Vasquez held a license in Texas but did not have the required credentials to practice in Colorado, leading the state nursing board to issue a cease-and-desist order for her to stop practicing immediately.

Why it matters

The findings raise concerns about how an unlicensed individual was able to work in a skilled nursing setting, even temporarily, and whether any patients were impacted by Vasquez's unlicensed care. The incident highlights the importance of rigorous verification processes for nursing staff credentials at healthcare facilities.

The details

According to the cease-and-desist order, Vasquez worked multiple shifts at The Center at Cordera between December 31, 2025, and February 2, 2026, despite never being licensed to practice nursing in Colorado. State records show Vasquez held a license in Texas but did not have a valid Colorado license or a multistate license, which is required to legally practice in the state.

  • Vasquez worked at The Center at Cordera between December 31, 2025, and February 2, 2026.
  • The cease-and-desist order was issued by the Colorado State Board of Nursing.

The players

Johana Vasquez

A nurse who worked multiple shifts at The Center at Cordera in Colorado Springs without a valid Colorado or multistate nursing license, despite holding a license in Texas.

The Center at Cordera

A skilled nursing facility in Colorado Springs that employed Vasquez, despite her lacking the required credentials to practice nursing in the state.

Colorado State Board of Nursing

The state regulatory body that issued the cease-and-desist order requiring Vasquez to immediately stop practicing nursing in Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“I was unaware I needed a Colorado or multistate license until the facility asked me for one.”

— Johana Vasquez, Nurse

“I reported myself to the state after the facility asked about my license status, roughly a month after my first shift.”

— Johana Vasquez, Nurse

What’s next

The Colorado State Board of Nursing has required Vasquez to immediately stop practicing nursing in the state. Vasquez has confirmed she is now in the process of applying for a valid multistate license.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of healthcare facilities thoroughly verifying the licensing and credentials of their nursing staff to ensure patient safety. The incident raises questions about the facility's hiring and credential-checking processes, as well as the potential impact on patients who received care from an unlicensed nurse.