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A nurse who was working at a West Australian hospital on a geriatric medical ward has been barred from practicing until 2028 after she stole a patient’s credit card to go on an online shopping spree.
Ferzana Khan was working a shift from 1pm until 9.30pm back in June 2024 and was responsible for placing the belongings of a patient in a draw in her room.
She found the patient’s credit card on the floor and picked it up, but did not put it away.
Instead, towards the end of her shift, she used the card to make an online purchase for 55 items to the value of $759.58 on the Shein Australia website, according to State Administrative Tribunal decision published this week.
According facts agreed to in the tribunal, Khan then attempted to use the patient’s card details to make a purchase of $55,000 PKR (Pakistani rupee) – about $296 – through another online shop, Mina Kashif, but that purchase was declined.
She then attempted to make another online purchase of $108,000 PKR, about $572, through Faiza Saqlain, which was also declined.
The Shein order was shipped to the address of an acquaintance of Khan, who then picked it up and later disposed of the majority of the order.
Kahn’s employer investigated the theft and sought to interview Khan about what had happened, but she resigned from the hospital in September 2024.
In November, a search warrant was conducted by police at her home address and two of the 55 items from the Shein order were located.
She was charged with gaining benefit by fraud and stealing and pleaded guilty in March 2025. Her nursing registration was also suspended.
Khan was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community-based order with supervision and program requirements, and was ordered to pay $759 compensation to the patient, was fined $700, and required to pay costs of $300.
The case was then taken to the State Administrative Tribunal by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, with the decision handed down on Monday.
Khan has been prohibited from providing any health services including injectable treatments, but excluding minor non-surgical cosmetic procedures, for a period of 18 months, and was ordered to cover the cost of the proceedings – a further $3000.
“The respondent pled guilty in the criminal proceedings and has expressed her remorse, deep regret, guilt, embarrassment, and shame regarding her offending, showing insight,” the tribunal document reads.
“The respondent was dealing with personal circumstances and mental health burnout at the relevant time, including being a full-time mother, working part-time, managing a clinical placement, dealing with financial hardship, and being unwell or taking time off to care for her children.
“The respondent has been suspended by immediate action since 12 March 2025 and has operated her own private business since 3 July 2025, with no concerns raised regarding the services she provides, which has supported her family.”
Khan will not be eligible for re-registration until March 21, 2028.
Holly Thompson is a journalist with WAtoday, specialising in education and the environment.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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