Nurse Surrenders License for Stealing Painkillers
An Iowa nurse has surrendered her license after being accused of misappropriating drugs from a nursing home. According to a news report, a licensed practical nurse, Andrea Raffield, was accused by police of a number of crimes in connection with the alleged theft of at least 54 tablets of Tramadol, an opioid pain medication, from the nursing home where she worked. She pleaded guilty to some of the crimes and was then disciplined by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
If you are a licensed nurse facing misconduct allegations, you need the help of one of the experienced attorneys from the LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team. Surrendering your license may not be the only way to resolve your case. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case and let you know how we can help.
The Alleged Drug Theft
According to the news report, police records stated that Raffield would order unneeded Tramadol for a resident of the nursing home where she worked. She would then destroy the delivery records for the order and steal the Tramadol for her own use. Police alleged that Raffield diverted Tramadol from more than one nursing home resident. She resolved her criminal case by pleading guilty to two prohibited acts of diverting a controlled substance and was sentenced to probation.
The Iowa Board of Nursing Disciplinary Case
In addition to her criminal case, Raffield was disciplined by the Iowa Board of Nursing. She agreed to voluntarily surrender her nursing license without admitting wrongdoing or guilt, though she did not contest the allegations that she had admitted to removing a controlled substance from a nursing home resident’s supply and taking it for her own use on more than one occasion.
Notably, the Board of Nursing stated in the Consent Order that Raffield was offered a “health contract” by the Iowa Professional Health Programs (IPHP). This is a program offered in some form by most states that allows health care providers, such as nurses, to avoid discipline if they enroll in what is typically a strict, long-term substance abuse treatment program. It is commonly known as an “alternative to discipline” program. Health professionals who successfully complete the program can return to work without facing discipline for their drug-related misconduct.
According to the Iowa Board of Nursing Consent Order, however, Raffield declined to sign a health contract. As a result, her case was returned to the Board of Nursing and was resolved when she voluntarily surrendered her license.
The LLF National Law Firm Can Help if You Are Accused of Drug Diversion
If you are a nurse or other healthcare professional accused of diverting patient medication for your own use, you need the help of one of the experienced attorneys from the LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team. We understand the laws, rules, regulations, and procedures that apply in these difficult cases and are ready to protect your rights and defend you against board discipline from day one.
We can also help you evaluate offers to participate in alternative-to-discipline programs. We know how these programs work and understand the benefits and the difficulties associated with enrolling.
Contact the LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or by filling out our online contact form. We will schedule a confidential consultation where you can tell us about your case, and we can tell you how we can help.