Jenny Barnhouse, Executive Director
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152
Re: Williford, Case No. 10.2025020170.26
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 December 23, 2024, Williford (“Applicant”) submitted to the Board a completed application for Initial Licensure to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Certified Nurse Practitioner Application (“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] or “[i]s guilty of unprofessional conduct as defined in the rules of the Board.”[2] 59 O.S.2021, § 567.8(B)(2), (7).
In reviewing Applicant’s application, it was discovered that on January 31, 2022, Applicant had been charged with misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol) to which Applicant entered a plea of No Contest and the Court found the Applicant Guilty and ordered a 1 year suspended sentence, 18 months supervised probation, Substance Abuse Evaluation, VIP, 100 hours community service and the payment of a fine and Court Costs.
On April 5, 2022, Applicant was charged with Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol), a misdemeanor; and Child Neglect, Felony to which Applicant entered a plea of No Contest the Court found the Applicant Guilty and ordered a 1 year suspended sentence, 18 months supervised probation, Substance Abuse Evaluation, VIP, 100 hours community service and the payment of a fine and Court Costs.
On September 28, 2022, Applicant was charged with a misdemeanor of Intoxication (Alcohol) to which Applicant entered a plea of No Contest which the Court accepted and assessed a fine. On or about August 19, 2025, Applicant, with Counsel, was offered an agreed settlement to include approval of the Application. However, neither Applicant or her counsel have had any further communication with the Board staff. The Board, therefore, proposes to deny Applicant’s 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).
[2] Unprofessional conduct means “conduct detrimental to the public interest[.]” OAC 485:10-11-1(b)(3)(H).
