Emma Sinclair contaminated blood samples and caused severe pain to teenage cancer patients, a court heard.
The 30 year old, who is Australian, committed the offences in one day while visiting patients in the community with a student nurse.
The contamination - caused by her spilling blood vials in her car - delayed vital chemotherapy for two of her patients.
Sinclair also caused children pain by incorrectly removing a tube, the court heard.
The nurse moved to Southampton in 2020 and was employed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust three years later.
On February 6, 2024, Sinclair carried out a series of patient visits with a student nurse to see children, two of whom had cancer.
At an earlier hearing, prosecutor David Finney said: ‘The first cancer patient was visited at his school by the defendant and the student.
‘Sinclair took blood from the patient but did not submit it for testing, which delayed his chemotherapy treatment.
‘This sample was later contaminated as it spilt in her car.
‘When she went to see the second cancer patient to take her blood, Sinclair turned her sharps box upside down which contaminated the clean needles with the used ones.
‘She then told the patient and the nursing student “not to tell anyone” and used a dirty needle.’
These actions delayed chemotherapy because of the risk of infection, Mr Finney said.
Sinclair, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to three counts of ill-treatment and wilful neglect of three teenagers in her care.
Judge Nigel Peters KC said she had ‘completely failed in her work as a nurse’.
Sentencing her to 15 months on Monday, he said: ‘You have completely failed in your work as a trained nurse in the care of these children.
‘You have lacked genuine remorse and have made numerous attempts to avoid responsibility for what had happened. This court cannot overlook the seriousness of this matter.’
Sinclair was also given a ten-year restraining order, preventing contact with the victims.
Police staff investigator Rebecca Stevens, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team (West), said after the sentencing: ‘I am pleased for the young victims and their families that justice has now been served and that they can now attempt to move on with their lives, knowing that Sinclair is in prison and can no longer harm any other vulnerable child.
‘Their bravery and support throughout our investigation has been integral to achieving the outcome we have today.
‘Sinclair abused her trusted position in the most serious way and has now been held accountable for her actions.
‘While I know today’s sentencing won’t rid the victims and family members of the memories of what happened to them, I truly hope the justice handed down is of some comfort to them as they look to the future.’
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