Findings Of Fact The Respondent Tobianna W. Huddleston is a registered nurse licensed in Florida, having been issued license number 140220-2. The Respondent's license to practice nursing in the State of New York was revoked on or about December 24, 1982, effective January 3, 1983, by the Commissioner of Education for the State of New York. The Commissioner's revocation was based on a Report of the Regents Review Committee which reviewed a Recommendation of a Hearing Panel which found that the Respondent was incapable of practicing her profession competently and, therefore, constituted a threat to the public.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED: That a Final Order be entered by the Board of Nursing revoking the nursing license of the Respondent Tobianna W. Huddleston. DONE and ENTERED this 28th day of October, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. SHARYN L. SMITH, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 28th day of October, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Julia P. Forrester, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Tobianna W. Huddleston Post Office Box 1124 Danville, Kentucky 40422 Helen P. Keefe, Executive Director Florida Board of Nursing Room 504, 111 East Coastline Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Frederick Roche, Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether Respondent engaged in unprofessional conduct and, if so, what penalty should be imposed on his nursing license.
Findings Of Fact The Department of Health is the state agency charged with regulating the practice of nursing pursuant to Chapter 464, Florida Statutes. Respondent, Cecil Harold Floyd, was at all times material hereto a licensed practical nurse in the State of Florida, having been issued a license numbered PN 0960631. At all times material hereto, Respondent was employed as a licensed practical nurse by the North Shore Senior Adult Community in St. Petersburg, Florida. At all times material hereto, Respondent was assigned to care for Patient M.F., a patient in the skilled nursing section of the North Shore Senior Adult Community. On February 26-27, 1996, Respondent worked as the charge nurse on the 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift. On February 27, 1996, at approximately 6:00 a.m., Respondent wrote in the nurse's notes that Patient M.F. was lethargic and having difficulty swallowing; that the patient's bottom dentures were out; and that the patient's tongue was over to the right side. In this entry, Respondent also noted "will continue to monitor." After Respondent completed his shift on February 27, 1996, Conchita McClory, LPN, was the charge nurse in the skilled nursing facility at North Shore Senior Adult Community. At about 8:10 a.m., Nurse McClory was called by the CNA who was attempting to wake up Patient M.F. Upon Nurse McClory's entering Patient M.F.'s room, she observed that the patient was sleeping, incontinent, and restless and that the right side of the patient's face was dropping. Based on these observations, Nurse McClory believed that Patient M.F. may have suffered a stroke and she immediately called 911. Following the 911 call, Patent M.F. was taken to Saint Anthony's Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Prior to coming to this country, Conchita McClory had been trained and worked as a registered nurse in the Philippines. However, Ms. McClory is not licensed as a registered nurse in the State of Florida. Saint Anthony's Hospital's records regarding Patient M.F. indicate that the patient had a history of multiple strokes beginning in 1986. The Department’s Administrative Complaint against Respondent included the following factual allegations, all of which were alleged to have occurred on February 27, 1996: At approximately 6:00 a.m., Respondent recorded in the nurse’s notes that Patient M.F. was lethargic and having difficulty swallowing; the patient's bottom dentures were out; and the patient's tongue was over to the right side. Respondent also noted in the nurses' notes that Patient M.F. should continue to be monitored. Patient M.F.'s roommate told Respondent that she believed that M.F. had suffered a stroke because she could not swallow and her speech was slurred. At about 8:00 a.m., Patient M.F.'s roommate went to the nurses' station and requested that a certified nurse's assistant check on M.F. Patient M.F. was found paralyzed on her left side, soaked in urine and unable to speak. There was no evidence presented to support the factual allegations referenced in paragraph 9b and 9c above and included in the Administrative Complaint.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department of Health, Board of Nursing, enter a final order dismissing the Administrative Complaint against Respondent. DONE AND ENTERED this 6th day of October, 1999, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. CAROLYN S. HOLIFIELD Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 6th day of October, 1999. COPIES FURNISHED: Howard M. Bernstein, Esquire Agency for Health Care Administration Allied Health - Medical Quality Assistance 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3 Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5403 Cecil Harold Floyd 1680 25th Avenue, North St. Petersburg, Florida 33713-4444 Ruth Stiehl, Executive Director Board of Nursing Department of Health 4080 Woodcock Drive, Suite 202 Jacksonville, Florida 32207 Angela T. Hall, Agency Clerk Department of Health 2020 Capital Circle, Southeast, Bin A02 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1701 Pete Peterson, General Counsel Department of Health 2020 Capital Circle, Southeast, Bin A02 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1701
The Issue Whether disciplinary action should be taken against the respondent, Tana Lee Hand, for an attempt to procure a license to practice nursing in the State of Florida by giving a false answer on an application form.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law the Hearing Officer recommends that the Administrative Complaint against tile respondent, Tana Lee Hand, be dismissed. DONE and ORDERED this 14th day of July, 1980, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Jeffery B. Morris, Esquire 2400 Independent Square One Independent Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Robert J. Castellanos, Esquire 1528 Hendry Street Post Office Box 1999 Fort Myers, Florida 33902 Geraldine B. Johnson, R. N. Board of Nursing 111 Coastline Drive East, Suite 504 Jacksonville, Florida 32202
The Issue The issue in this case is how the Board of Nursing (Board) should discipline the Respondent’s registered nurse license for: pleading guilty to two counts of larceny-grand theft of a controlled substance, which were third degree felonies under section 812.014(2)(c)13., Florida Statutes1/; pleading nolo contendere to possession or use of narcotic equipment, a first degree misdemeanor under section 893.147(1), Florida Statutes; pleading nolo contendere to larceny-petit theft, a second degree misdemeanor under section 812.014(3)(a), Florida Statutes; and failing to report the criminal violations to the Board within 30 days.
Findings Of Fact In April 2014, the Respondent became licensed to practice as a registered nurse in Florida. He holds license RN 9381249. He also has a certified nursing assistant license, which he has held since 2009. From November 2014 until January 2015, the Respondent was working as a registered nurse at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. While working there, he diverted controlled substances for his own use. Specifically, he was putting Percocet pills prescribed for, but not used by, patients in his pocket and taking them later himself for pain. The Respondent was found out, fired, arrested, and charged with criminal violations. In August 2015, the Respondent entered pleas of: guilty to two counts of larceny-grand theft of a controlled substance, third degree felonies in violation of section 812.014(2)(c)13.; nolo contendere to possession or use of narcotic equipment, a first degree misdemeanor in violation of section 893.147(1); and nolo contendere to larceny-petit theft, a second degree misdemeanor in violation of section 812.014(3)(a). The Respondent was sentenced to a 14 month-long drug court program (which included random drug sampling), probation, fees and costs, and was prohibited from practicing as a nurse while he was on probation. Adjudication was withheld. The Respondent did not report his pleas and convictions to the Board in writing. He testified that he thought the Board had sufficient notice because an unidentified representative of the Board was present at the plea hearing and asked the judge to have the Respondent repeat the pleas so they could be properly and clearly recorded for use in a license discipline proceeding, and because he telephoned the Board soon after the incident and was told to stop practicing nursing. The Respondent successfully completed the drug court program and probation, and fulfilled all other conditions of his pleas and sentences. The Respondent acknowledged that his diversion of controlled substances from his place of employment was wrong, a mistake, and showed poor judgement.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Board of Nursing enter a final order: finding the Respondent guilty of violating sections 456.072(1)(x) and 464.018(1)(e); reprimanding him; fining him $500; requiring IPN evaluation and treatment, if necessary; and assessing the costs of investigation and prosecution. DONE AND ENTERED this 6th day of February, 2017, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 6th day of February, 2017.
The Issue Whether Respondent engaged in unprofessional conduct and, if so, what disciplinary action should be imposed on her nursing license.
Findings Of Fact The Department of Health is the state agency charged with regulating the practice of nursing pursuant to Chapter 464, Florida Statutes. At all times relevant to this proceeding, Respondent was a licensed practical nurse in the State of Florida, holding license no. PN 0986101. Respondent has been so licensed since 1990. At all times relevant to this proceeding, Respondent was employed in the office of Dr. David Flick, M.D., an oncologist. On October 17, 1995, Dr. Flick wrote a prescription for Fiorinal for Katherine Filan, who on that date, was an employee of Dr. Flick. The prescription authorized one refill. On or about January 12, 1996, in response to an inquiry from a pharmacy, Respondent approved a refill of the prescription for Fiorinal for Katherine Filan, without first consulting Dr. Flick. According to Dr. Flick, at all times pertinent to this proceeding, the general policy in his office was that he approved all refills. This policy was unwritten and was not effectively communicated to employees. Respondent and one other licensed practical nurse, formerly employed as a nurse in Dr. Flick's office, provided credible testimony that nurses in Dr. Flick's office were allowed to refill prescriptions, except for narcotics. However, when nurses authorized such refills, the policy was that the refills were to be documented and charted. Respondent believed that her action of authorizing the refill of Ms. Filan's prescription was consistent with the practice and policy of Dr. Flick's office. Moreover, Respondent believed that her approval of the refill was permitted because Dr. Flick had expressly authorized one refill on the original prescription he had written. No evidence was presented that Ms. Filan had refilled the prescription prior to January 12, 1996. After Respondent authorized the refill of the prescription for Ms. Filan, she failed to record the refill authorization on the any medical records. Respondent maintains that her failure to document the refill was inadvertent and was the result of her being extremely busy that day. On the day that Respondent authorized the refill, she was the only chemotherapy nurse on duty, was taking care of patients, and taking incoming nurse's calls. Except for this proceeding, Respondent has never been the subject of a disciplinary proceeding related to her nursing license.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is REOMMENDED that the Department of Health, Board of Nursing, enter a final order dismissing the Administrative Complaint against Respondent. DONE AND ENTERED this 17th day of February, 1999, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. CAROLYN S. HOLIFIELD Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 17th day of February, 1999. COPIES FURNISHED: Sam Power, Agency Clerk Agency of Health Care Administration Fort Knox Building 3, Suite 3431 2727 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Paul J. Martin, General Counsel Agency of Health Care Administration Fort Knox Building 3, Suite 3431 2727 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Howard M. Bernstein, Esquire Agency for Health Care Administration General Counsel's Office Medical Quality Assistance Allied Health Post Office Box 14229 Tallahassee, Florida 32317-4229 Michele L. Schrembs DeGrolier, pro se 1501 Carlos Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33755
The Issue The issue to be determined is whether Petitioner’s application for licensure by endorsement as a licensed practical nurse in the State of Florida should be granted or denied.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner was licensed as a practical nurse by examination in the State of Ohio, having received her license in Ohio in August of 1994. She practiced in Ohio, generally in long-term care settings, from 1994 to approximately 2009. She was subsequently licensed by endorsement in Virginia on March 17, 2009, and in North Carolina on May 18, 2011. On February 23, 2011, Petitioner received a reprimand against her license in the State of Virginia. The reprimand was issued as a result of a Consent Order in which Petitioner neither admitted nor denied the findings of fact in the Virginia Board of Nursing’s Final Order. Petitioner applied for licensure in North Carolina a few months after the entry of the Virginia Final Order. Her testimony that she disclosed the reprimand in her application for licensure in North Carolina is undisputed and accepted. The application submitted in North Carolina was a paper application. On or about April 27, 2015, Petitioner submitted an electronic application for licensure by endorsement in Florida. The application contains the following question, which Petitioner answered “no”: Have you ever had disciplinary action taken against your license to practice a health care-related profession by the licensing authority in Florida, or any other state, jurisdiction or country? In submitting her application, Petitioner also checked an Affirmation Statement, which includes the following statement: I, the undersigned, state that I am the person referred to in this application for licensure in the State of Florida. I affirm these statements are true and correct and recognize that providing false information may result in disciplinary action against my license or criminal penalties pursuant to Sections 456.067, 775.083, and 775.084, Florida Statutes. I have carefully read the questions in the foregoing application and have answered them completely, without reservations of any kind, and I declare under penalty of perjury that my answers and all statements made by me herein are true and correct. Should I furnish any false information in this application I hereby agree that such act shall constitute cause for denial, suspension or revocation of my license to practice as a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Florida. Petitioner did not complete her on-line application in one sitting. She filled it out over several sessions on the computer, because she had to complete the continuing education required for Florida and had to wait for funds to pay the application fee. Because of the way she completed the application, she did not check her application as carefully as she should have and did not realize that she had answered the question regarding discipline in another state incorrectly. Petitioner had notified North Carolina of her previous discipline when applying in that state. There was no basis presented to indicate that she was affirmatively attempting to conceal her prior discipline, as opposed to being negligent in the completion of her application. Petitioner did not realize the error on her application until she inquired about the status of her application after the Board considered it at its June 2015 meeting. After her inquiry, but before receiving the Notice of Intent to Deny, Ms. Walker wrote to the Executive Director of the Board to inquire what she needed to do to correct her error, stating, “it was an honest mistake of marking the wrong box on the question. I had started and stopped the application several times while gathering all of the information needed.” She provided information regarding the Virginia discipline, and a printout of the documents on file with the Virginia Board of Nursing with respect to the reprimand. Petitioner has been a nurse for over 22 years. She loves her job. She was candid and forthright in acknowledging that it was her error and no one else’s with respect to the answers given on the application. While Petitioner clearly needed to be more careful in preparing her application, no deliberate attempt to deceive was demonstrated.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Board of Nursing enter a final order granting Petitioner’s application for licensure by endorsement as a licensed practical nurse. DONE AND ENTERED this 8th day of March, 2016, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S LISA SHEARER NELSON Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of March, 2016. COPIES FURNISHED: Tara Danielle Walker 146 Smoky Crossing Way Seymour, Tennessee 37865 (eServed) Lynette Norr, Esquire Office of the Attorney General The Capitol, Plaza Level 01 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050 (eServed) Joe Baker, Jr., Executive Director Board of Nursing Department of Health 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C02 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3252 (eServed) Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, ARNP Chair Board of Nursing Department of Health 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C02 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3252 Nichole C. Geary, General Counsel Department of Health 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A02 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1701 (eServed)
The Issue The issue is whether Respondent violated Sections 455.227(1)(q), 455.227(1)(f), and 464.018(a)(b), Florida Statutes, and Rule 64B9-8.005(1)(b), Florida Administrative Code, by a denial of an application in another state.
Findings Of Fact At all material times, Respondent has been licensed as a registered nurse in Florida, holding license number RN 1446212. She has been so licensed for 14 years. Her home address is in Plattsburg, New York. For most of her career, Respondent has worked as a traveling nurse and is licensed in at least six states. In this capacity, Respondent has been employed by an agency and assigned to various temporary assignments around the country. At one point, Respondent worked as a traveling nurse in Virginia. Using a temporary nursing license, Respondent worked for one week at a Virginia hospital. She had intended to work the typical 6-13 weeks. However, she returned home prematurely following an incident at the hospital to which she had been assigned. There had been a problem with diverted controlled substances at this hospital prior to Respondent’s arrival. After a few days on the job, someone accused Respondent of diverting controlled substances, and the hospital administration suspended Respondent without pay. Under her agency arrangement, Respondent did not have to pay her lodging expenses. However, as a result of the suspension, she was left with this expense and no income to pay it, so she readily returned home and, at some point, accepted another assignment. She never learned of any adverse action taken against her in Virginia for the alleged incident at the hospital. Unknown to Respondent, her application for a temporary license in Virginia automatically constituted an application for a permanent license. Although Respondent received no prior notice of the Virginia nursing board’s action, the board eventually denied her licensure on the basis of the alleged incident at the hospital. Petitioner presented this case on the basis of the license denial of the Virginia board of nursing. The evidence in this record does not establish that Respondent committed the acts of which she was accused at the Virginia hospital. Moreover, the evidence in this record establishes that Respondent did not receive notice and an opportunity to be heard on the Virginia charges prior to or following the Virginia license denial.
Recommendation It is RECOMMENDED that the Board of Nursing enter a final order dismissing the administrative complaint. DONE AND ENTERED this 26th day of January, 1998, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ROBERT E. MEALE Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 26th day of January, 1998. COPIES FURNISHED: Thomas E. Wright Office of the General Counsel Agency for Health Care Administration Post Office Box 14229 Tallahassee, Florida 32317-4229 T. A. Delegal, III Delegal & Merrett, P.A. 424 East Monroe Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Angela T. Hall, Agency Clerk Department of Health Building 6 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 Marilyn Bloss, Executive Director Board of Nursing Department of Health 4080 Woodcock Drive, Suite 202 Jacksonville, Florida 32207
The Issue Whether or not the Respondent, Hermine Ledoux Lane, is guilty of a violation of 464.21(1)(a), (1)(b), based upon a revocation of her license to practice as an licensed practical nurse, in the State of Vermont, effective January 14, 1976, after a hearing on December 3, 1975, in which it was concluded that the Respondent had on several occassions signed her name on a patient's clinical record and used the letters "R.N." after said signature and had on three occassions signed her name on a billing form using the initials "R.N." following her signature, when in fact the Respondent was not a registered nurse in the State of Vermont. The Vermont State Board of Nursing concluded this showed the Respondent was guilty of unprofessional conduct in willfully and repeatedly violating Vermont's statutes governing the practice of nursing, in that she did practice professional nursing without being duly licensed.
Recommendation It is recommended that the charges placed against Hermine Ledoux Lane, L.P.N., under license no. 05372-1 be dismissed. DONE and ENTERED this 11th day of February, 1977, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Julius Finegold, Esquire 1130 American Heritage Life Building Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Hermine Ledoux Lane 51 North Union Street Burlington, Vermont 05401
