Jenny Barnhouse, Executive Director
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152
Re: Hartmann, Case No. 10.2025050101.26
Dear Executive Director Barnhouse:
This office has received your request for a written Attorney General Opinion regarding action that the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (“Board”) intends to take in the above-referenced case. On April 11, 2025, Applicant submitted to the Board a complete RN Endorsement Application for U.S. Educated Nurse requesting a single-state license to practice registered nursing (“RN”) (“Application”).
The Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act authorizes the Board to impose discipline, including a denial of licensure, when a nurse has “had disciplinary actions taken against the individual’s registered or practical nursing license, advanced unlicensed assistive certification, or any professional or occupational license, registration or certification in this or any state, territory or country[.]” 59 O.S.2021, § 567.8(B)(10).
On April 26, 2023, an Accusation was filed before the Board of Registered Nursing Department of Consumer Affairs of another state’s Board of Nursing, against the Respondent’s RN License, Nurse Practitioner Certificate, and Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Certificate, for the Respondent’s 3 alcohol-related criminal convictions, unprofessional conduct, and dangerous use of alcohol. On February 5, 2024, in the matter of the Accusation, the Administrative Law Judge issued a Proposed Decision that would order Respondent’s RN License, Nurse Practitioner Certificate, and Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Certificate, be revoked and Respondent to pay costs associated with the investigation. The Proposed Decision was adopted by the other BON on March 14, 2024, to become effective April 12, 2024. On April 11, 2024, Respondent submitted a Petition for Reconsideration to the other Board of Nursing. On September 5, 2024, the other Board of Nursing made and entered its Decision After Reconsideration to adopt the previous Proposed Decision of the Administrative Law Judge dated February 5, 2024, as its final decision. This Decision became effective and the Respondent’s RN License, Nurse Practitioner Certificate, and Nurse Practitioner Furnishing Certificate, were revoked on October 4, 2024.
Applicant’s conduct as described in the other state’s Board of Nursing Order was unprofessional. Applicants with a history of crimes involving drugs and/or alcohol demonstrate a potential inability to practice nursing with reasonable judgment, skill and safety and raise concerns whether the Respondent is capable of ensuring adequate nursing care is provided to patients under the nurse’s care. Therefore, the Board proposes to deny Applicant’s Application pursuant to clear evidence that Respondent’s conduct violates the Oklahoma Nursing Practices Act, 59 O.S.2021, § 567.8(B)(10).
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.
Cheryl Dixon
Deputy General Counsel
