Jenny Barnhouse, Executive Director
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152
Re: Turner, Case No. 3.2021100096.23
Dear Executive Director Barnhouse:
This office has received your request for a written Attorney General Opinion regarding action that the Oklahoma Board of Nursing intends to take in case 3.2021100096.23. Respondent holds a single-state RN license.
The Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act authorizes the Board to impose discipline when a nurse “[i]s guilty of unprofessional conduct[.]”1 59 O.S.2021, § 567.8(B)(7). The Board may reasonably believe that the proposed action is necessary to deter future violations.
According to a Board complaint, in August 2021, the Respondent was terminated from his job at a hospital after violating the employer’s sexual harassment policy. Additionally, the Respondent failed to cooperate with a Board investigation. The Board proposes to temporarily suspend the Respondent’s license pending a hearing on the merits.
It is, therefore, the official opinion of the Attorney General that the Oklahoma Board of Nursing has adequate support for the conclusion that this action advances the State’s policy to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring nurses meet minimum standards of professional conduct.
ROB JOHNSON
General Counsel
1Unprofessional conduct includes “conduct detrimental to the public interest[]” and “failure to cooperate with a lawful investigation by Board of Nursing staff[.]” OAC 485:10-11-1(b)(3)(H), (V).
