RI Nurse Suspended, RIDOH Finds She Poses “Immediate Danger to the Public”
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Nurse Suspended, RIDOH Finds She Poses “Immediate Danger to the Public”
"Sherry McCaffrey is licensed as a registered nurse pursuant to R.I Gen. Laws and their license is currently active. Complaint ID recently came before the Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Quality and Safety, Center for Professional Boards and Licensing ("RIDOH”),” states RIDOH.
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“Engaging in Unprofessional Conduct by Being Under the Influence of Alcohol and Impaired During a Shift at a Nursing Home"
“This Summary Suspension is issued related to the Complaint and pursuant to R. I. Gen. Laws § 5- 34-26. After careful consideration and further investigation by RIDOH, the Director has determined that evidence exists indicating the Respondent's continuation in practice would constitute an immediate danger to the public. In particular, the Department has evidence of the Respondent engaging in unprofessional conduct by being under the influence of alcohol and impaired during a shift at a nursing home.
McCaffrey’s License has been suspended.
According to the RIDOH findings:
On June 26, 2025, the McCaffrey was working at a nursing facility as an agency nurse on the 3pm-11pm shift. During this shift her colleagues noted that she had been taking extended breaks in her vehicle and was difficult to find on the assigned unit.
On June 26, 2025, she did not complete numerous responsibilities for patients, including the administration of medication and the documentation of treatments.
As the shift progressed, McCaffrey began slurring their words and smelled of alcohol upon return from their break in their car. The Respondent was relieved of their nursing duties due to suspected intoxication and escorted out the door. The Respondent left the premises driving their vehicle.
At approximately 9:38 pm, she was pulled over by the Glocester Police after police noticed Respondent driving at a low rate of speed and crossing over the fog line and the double yellow lines. McCaffrey displayed slurred speech and mildly bloodshot eyes; a faint smell of alcohol was emitting from their breath.
Respondent had multiple open containers of alcohol in her vehicle, as well as an unopened bottle of wine in the front seat.
The police officer performed a Standardized Field Sobriety Test and opined that the Respondent was unfit to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner. The Respondent was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and received a summons for refusal to submit to a chemical test, a laned roadway violation and operating below minimum speed.
She was cited by RIDOH on seven counts related to this incident and in violation of her license.
McCaffrey is scheduled for a hearing on July 21.