Jenny Barnhouse, Executive Director
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152
Re: Coil, Case No. 3.2024100365.26
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. Respondent is licensed with a single-state registered nurse (“RN”) license number R0107468. Respondent’s RN license is temporarily suspended pursuant to a Stipulated Order.
The Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act (“Act”) authorizes the Board to impose discipline when a nurse “[v]iolated a rule promulgated by the Board, [or] an order of the Board.” 59 O.S.Supp.2023, § 567.8(B)(9).
On July 30, 2025, Respondent entered into a Stipulations, Settlement and Order (“Stipulated Order”) for the following: On August 7, 2023, Respondent was charged with felony Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Methamphetamine); felony Possession of Cell Phone or Electronic Device in Penal Institution, and misdemeanor Possession of Contraband (Tobacco) in Penal Institution or Jail. On October 24, 2023, Respondent was charged with the amended crimes: felony Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Methamphetamine), felony Conspiracy to Traffic Controlled Dangerous Substance, felony Bringing Cell Phone or Electronic Device into Penal Institution, felony Trafficking in Illegal Drugs, and misdemeanor Bringing of Contraband (Tobacco) into Penal Institution. On September 19, 2024, Respondent entered a plea of no contest to the first 2 felonies, and the court ordered a 7-year deferred sentence (until September 19, 2031) for each count to run concurrently, supervised probation, and the payment of a fine, fees, and court costs. On October 5, 2023, Respondent was charged with felony Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Methamphetamine). This charge was merged with the pending case and Respondent’s plea agreement.
The terms of Respondent’s Stipulated Order included the following conditions: Respondent’s RN Application was approved but temporarily suspended until completing an Evaluation; completion of educational courses of Nursing Jurisprudence and Critical Thinking, payment of an Administrative Penalty of $500.00, submission to body fluid testing at least twice a month until review of Evaluation and at least twice a month while working as an RN. Upon lifting the temporary suspension, Respondent’s RN license will be placed on probation for 1440 cumulative worked hours that must be completed in 2 years.
On November 12, 2025, Board staff received the Respondent’s Evaluation that did not meet the Board’s Evaluation Criteria. On November 18, 2025, correspondence was sent to the Evaluator. On December 1, 2025, the Respondent’s Addendum to the Evaluation was received and met the Board’s Evaluation Criteria.
On December 23, 2025, Board staff issued an Order to Appear and Show Cause with a Notice of Hearing for Respondent’s violation of the Stipulated Order based on the following conduct.
- On August 24, 2025, Respondent failed to submit to the Board a Nurse’s Initial Medication Report (“medication report”). On August 28, 2025, a medication report was untimely received in the Board office.
- On or about August 24, 2025, Respondent failed to cause Prescriber Medications Reports(s) (“prescriber reports”) to be submitted. On August 26, 2025, August 27, 2025, September 8, 2025, and September 16, 2025, separate untimely medication reports were received in the Board office from documented Prescribers’ offices of Respondent.
- October 28, 2025, Respondent was selected for a random Board-ordered body fluid test (“BFT”). The Respondent failed to submit a BFT on the selected date. However, on November 3, 2025, Board staff received documentation that Respondent was admitted to a hospital on October 27, 2025, and discharged on October 30, 2025.
On December 23, 2025, Board staff noticed Respondent for a Show Cause Hearing and Review of Evaluation Hearing on January 29, 2026. After the Show Cause Hearing, the Board found that Respondent failed to show cause why no further action should be taken by the Board. The Board proposes to accept Respondent’s Evaluation and Addendum, refer Respondent to the Board’s Peer Assistance Program (“PAP”) with Respondent’s RN license to remain temporarily suspended pending entry to PAP. If Respondent fails to enter the PAP and/or defaults/terminates from the PAP, Respondent’s RN license will be revoked for 2 years. If revoked, Respondent must meet the additional requirements outlined in the Board’s Supplemental Order.
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
