(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Board of Nursing has taken action against nurses accused of stealing medications, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work, and inadvertently contributing to a hospital patient’s death. One of the cases involves 40-year-old Rahni Brower, of Carroll, who was charged by the board with misappropriating patient medications and committing an act that may adversely affect a patient’s welfare.

According to the board, Brower worked for Carroll Area Nursing Services (CANS) for roughly 18 months before she was fired in December 2022. After her dismissal, CANS administrator Kimberly Lambert filed a complaint with the board alleging Brower had stolen a patient’s medications, including oxycodone, resulting in increased pain for the patient. At a recent board hearing, Lambert testified that she had asked Brower to submit to a drug test, but the urine sample Brower provided was discarded as not being within the acceptable temperature range. A subsequent test produced negative results.

Lambert testified that she fired Brower and soon thereafter received complaints from two CANS clients who alleged Brower visited their homes after she was terminated. In the first of those cases, Brower was allegedly seen checking the patient’s medicine cabinet, after which it was discovered that all of the patient’s fentanyl patches were missing. In the second of the two cases, Brower allegedly checked a patient’s medication supply, after which it was discovered that all of the man’s hydrocodone pain killers had been replaced with Tylenol.

According to the board, a fourth CANS client allegedly reported that she had once seen Brower rifling through her medication box, after which she discovered at least 120 pills, including oxycodone, were missing. Two of Brower’s previous employers allegedly told the board they had concerns regarding medications that were never accounted for during Brower’s employment. Neither of the two facilities – which aren’t named in board documents – were able to clear Brower of any wrongdoing.

According to board records, Brower denied taking medications from clients or her employers. With regard to her post-termination visits to patients’ homes, she alleged she had made those visits to return books or DVDs she had borrowed. After hearing testimony in the case, the board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence established the theft of medication. The board opted not to revoke Brower’s license but to impose a suspension. Her license may be reinstated if she establishes that the reasons for her suspension no longer exist.

In order to request reinstatement, Brower will have to complete a comprehensive substance abuse and mental health evaluation and comply with any treatment recommendations, and she must complete a course on professional boundaries and ethics.

In Carroll County, Brower is currently facing three misdemeanor charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance through her employment as a home health nurse. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial is scheduled for Aug. 13th. In Greene County, Brower is facing two felony counts of unlawfully obtaining controlled substances through theft, and two misdemeanor prescription-drug violations. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial is scheduled for Sept. 16.

Brower’s license suspension took effect on April 12. On May 22, Brower informed the court that she was working for Vivian Health, a medical staffing agency. Other Iowa nurses recently sanctioned include:

Andrea Cline of Grinnell and Amber Hills of Estherville, both of whom were alleged to have fed and medicated a hospital patient on March 18, 2019, using a gastric feeding tube that had been improperly routed into one of the patient’s lungs. The board issued a warning to both nurses.

Shelley Arends, who was the subject of a board order earlier this year. The board has not publicly disclosed the charges against Arends, the circumstances that led to those charges, or the nature of the order that was issued.

Nicole Klosterman of Cedar Rapids, who was assigned to a hospital, undisclosed by the board, in April 2023 when her colleagues allegedly observed that she appeared to be impaired while on duty as demonstrated by her altered behavior, speech and appearance. The board charged her with practicing nursing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The board placed Klosterman’s license on probation for nine months subject to her compliance with a chemical screening program.

Sadessa Hernandez of Altoona, who was accused of discarding 172 narcotic pills on a single day in September 2023 while working at a care center the board has not publicly identified. The board placed Hernandez’s license on probation for 12 months and ordered her to refrain from using alcohol or illicit drugs and to submit to a chemical screening program.

Amanda Hake of Davenport, who pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance after police found her in possession of oxycodone without a valid prescription. Hake entered her guilty plea in October 2022. The board filed disciplinary charges against her 16 months later in January 2024. The board recently placed Hake’s license on probation for 12 months. She will be required to submit to chemical screening and attend recovery support group meetings if recommended.

Trenton Buchanan of Cedar Rapids, who was charged by the board with committing an act that may adversely affect a patient’s welfare, misappropriating patient medications or property; unauthorized possession or use of a controlled substance; and excessive use of drugs in a manner that may impair a licensee’s ability to practice with skill and safety. Buchanan has agreed to refrain from practicing nursing while the board’s investigation into the matter continues.

(Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch)