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Liam Quinn and Nicholas Katzban, NorthJersey.com

Mon, February 7, 2022, 9:50 PM

A nurse who is wanted on first-degree attempted murder charges for setting fire to an employee in an early morning attack Monday at Hackensack University Medical Center is on the run and considered armed and dangerous, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

Nicholas Pagano, 31, of West Deptford works as a contract nurse at the hospital. Typically, independent nurse contractors travel where needed during staffing shortages and are not employed full time by any particular hospital.

Pagano is also wanted on charges of aggravated arson, aggravated assault and weapons offenses, for an attack on a 54-year-old female hospital employee in the break room, Musella said in a release Monday evening.

Musella said Pagano "should be considered armed and dangerous" and advised the public not to approach him.

The victim was taken to another hospital for treatment of third-degree burns to her upper body, face and hands, and a cut to her head, Musella said. Investigators said the victim was also struck with a wrench. No further details on her condition have been released.

Authorities were called to Hackensack University Medical Center at about 5:15 a.m. Monday.

The victim was in a break room when she was set her on fire, according to accounts from the hospital and Bergen County prosecutors.

The hospital said there were no witnesses and that police have not yet determined a motive for the attack. Both Hackensack police and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office are investigating.

A spokesperson for Hackensack Meridian Health said Pagano was cleared to work by the vendor — including a complete audit and background check — that provides contracted staff.