Jenny Barnhouse, Executive Director
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152
Re: Townsend, Case No. 10.2024110173.26
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 or about October 24, 2024, Townsend (“Applicant”) submitted to the Board a complete RN Endorsement Application for U.S. Educated Nurse requesting Multistate License Request Application to practice registered nursing (“Application”).
The Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act (“Act”) authorizes the Board to impose discipline when a nurse “[i]s guilty of a felony, or any offense substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of any licensee . . . whether or not sentence is imposed, or any conduct resulting in the revocation of a deferred or suspended sentence or probation imposed pursuant to such conviction.”[1] 59 O.S.2021, § 567.8(B)(2).
On February 25, 2020, Applicant was charged with Driving While Intoxicated with Accident, a Class B Misdemeanor to which Applicant entered a plea of No Contest. On December 29, 2022, Applicant was charged with the Reckless Driving, a Misdemeanor to which Applicant entered a plea of Nolo Contendere. On April 21, 2023, Applicant was charged with the following: Count 1: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, a Felony; and Count 2: Unsafe Lane Use, a Misdemeanor to which Applicant entered a plea of No Contest on Count 1. The Court dismissed Count 2 with payment of Court costs. On June 1, 2023, Applicant was charged with the following Public Intoxication, a City Ordinance violation, to which Applicant entered a plea of Nolo Contendere.
On July 12, 2025, through the Hosty Law Firm the Applicant was offered an agreed Settlement to include approval of his Application. However, on July 14, 2025, Applicant informed the Board in writing that he wishes to withdraw his Application.
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
[1] “’[S]ubstantially related’ means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform one or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the occupation.” 59 O.S.2021, § 567.8(B)(2).
