Jenny Barnhouse, Executive Director
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152
Re: Jenkinson, Case No. 10.2024120237.26
Dear Executive Director Barnhouse:
This office has received your request for a written Attorney General Opinion regarding the action that the Oklahoma Board of Nursing intends to take in the above-referenced case. On or about October 22, 2024, Jenkinson (“Applicant”) submitted to the Board a complete RN Endorsement Application for U.S. Educated Nurse requesting single-state license 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 September 9, 2010, Applicant was charged with the following misdemeanors: Count 1: Driving Under the Influence; and Count 2: Driving With Blood Alcohol 0.08 percent or Greater. On September 10, 2010, Applicant entered a plea of Nolo Contendere to Count 2. The Court found the Applicant Guilty of Count 2 and ordered 1 day in County Jail, 36 months summary probation, complete 3 month licensed First-Offender Alcohol and other Drug Education and Counseling Program, complete the Victim Impact Program and the payment of a fine, assessments, surcharge, fee and restitution. In lieu of paying fine or serving jail time, the Court accepted 13 days of community service completed by Applicant. The Court ordered Count 1 to be dismissed.
On February 14, 2011, Applicant was charged with the following misdemeanors: Count 1: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs with One Prior; Count 2: Driving with Blood Alcohol 0.08 percent or More with One Prior; and Count 3: Driving on Suspended License. On April 29, 2011, the Applicant entered a plea of Guilty to all counts. The Court accepted the plea and ordered the sentence suspended for Count 1. The Court ordered an imposition of sentence suspended and 5 years informal probation for Count 2 and Count 3. Applicant was also ordered by the Court to serve 60 days in Orange County Jail for Count 2, stayed until June 1, 2011, and complete an 18- month Multiple Offender Alcohol Program, complete Victim’s Impact Panel, and the payment of fines and fees.
On or about July 7, 2025, the Board offered Applicant an agreed Stipulations, Settlement, and Order (Order) to include approval of Application. On or about August 13, 2025, the Order was mailed to the Applicant’s address of record on file with the Board. The United States Postal Service Tracking shows that Applicant received service of the Order on August 19, 2025; however, the Applicant has not returned the signed Order to the Board’s office or contacted Board staff. Therefore, the Board 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).
