Six Nurses Disciplined by RIDOH — 3 Surrender Their License

Six Nurses Disciplined by RIDOH — 3 Surrender Their License

 

In six separate incidents, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has taken disciplinary action against nurses in the state.

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As a result of state investigations, three of the nurses have surrendered their licenses. The cumulative actions reported in one month are unprecedented.

The following is a breakdown of the actions by the State's Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education:

 

Clare Bateman — Surrendered License

Registered nurse Clare Bateman admitted to the Board of Nursing that she failed to wait for intravenous Morphine titration orders from a physician prior to dispensing the medication. According to RIDOH, she was cited for failing to perform a 2-person verification when preparing a Morphine drip, and for failing to utilize the required safety parameters when administering the Morphine drip, resulting in unprofessional conduct.

In lieu of facing potential discipline by the Board of Nursing, Bateman voluntarily surrendered her license. Bateman agrees not to reapply for licensure for at least one year.

 

 

Charles Odania — Surrendered License

He was licensed as a practical nurse in Rhode Island.

According to RIDOH:

That on or about July, 2025, the Respondent entered this voluntary surrender of their license after failing or refusing to provide requested information relative to obtaining their nursing school transcripts.

Respondent voluntarily submits this surrender of License to the Board of Nursing Registration and Nursing Education and states that no promises or representations have been made to her other than those terms and conditions stated herein.

Respondent shall voluntarily surrender the License, reserving the right to petition for reinstatement.

 

 

Margaline Fleurilus — Surrendered License

She was a registered nurse and was investigated according to RIDOH for the following:

The Respondent is the subject of a Complaint before the Board.

[The] Respondent is accused of obtaining a nursing license and diploma without completing the necessary didactic or clinical hours.

The findings above constitute professional misconduct and grounds for the discipline.

Respondent agrees to the findings of fact and conclusions of law in paragraphs 1-4.

Respondent surrenders and gives up all rights to the License (RN74274),

The Board accepts the Respondent's surrender of the license.

This Consent Order shall constitute a final disposition of the above-referenced complaint.

 

 

Maureen Brown Hardy — Reprimanded

She is a licensed practical nurse in Rhode Island and RIDOH asserts:

That on or about September 9, 2024, the Respondent was employed by a home care agency in Rhode Island.

That on or about September 12, 2024, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) received Complaints alleging that the Respondent administered medication to a patient that was not prescribed to them. The Complaints also alleged that the Respondent administered medications to the patient at unscheduled/inappropriate times.

In a response to the allegation, the Respondent stated that they knowingly administered Dulcolax to a patient without a written medical order.

That on February 10, 2025, an Investigative Committee (IC) of the Board reviewed the allegations and relevant evidence, including the Respondent's response to the allegation. The IC determined that the Respondent was guilty of unprofessional conduct by administering medications without an appropriate doctor's order and willfully omitting to record in the nursing records, as required by law.

That the conduct described in paragraphs three (3) and four (4) herein constitutes unprofessional conduct as defined in Rhode Island Gen. Laws§ 5-34-24(6)(iii)(v).

According to the consent decree signed by both Hardy and RIDOH, she has received a reprimand.

 

 

Lauren Poisson — One Year Probation

According to RIDOH:

That Respondent is a registered nurse licensed to practice in the State of Rhode Island under License Numbers RN69936.

That at all times relevant hereto, Respondent was employed at Rhode Island Drip, located in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

That on or about December 14, 2023, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) received a complaint alleging the Respondent, who is the owner of Rhode Island Drip, was practicing medicine without a license and performing procedures in violation of the standards of practice and rules of ethics for registered nurses.

That the conduct described in paragraph two constitutes unprofessional conduct as defined in Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 5.34.24 (6) (v).

According to the consent decree signed by Poisson and RIDOH:

Respondent voluntarily agrees to accept the sanction of a one-year probation against their license as a registered nurse, with no additional complaints received by RJDOH during that timeframe.

During the probationary period, Respondent shall notify the Board, and its staff, of all nursing positions that Respondent works in Rhode Island within one week of employment.

That should Respondent fail to comply with the laws and regulations governing the practice of nursing and/or fail to comply with the terms of the Consent Order, their license as a registered nurse may be subject to other appropriate disciplinary action.

 

 

Sarah Smyth — Reprimand

Smyth is a registered nurse in Rhode Island. According to RIDOH,

That on or about September 16, 2022, the Respondent was employed at a school located in Rhode Island.

That on or about September 28, 2022, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) received a complaint alleging that the Respondent had stolen medication, classified as a controlled substance, that had previously been discontinued for a student under their care.

That on March 18, 2024, the Respondent appeared before an Investigative Committee (IC) of the Board to respond to these allegations. The Respondent admitted to taking possession of the medication prescribed to the student for their own use and indicated that the Respondent has a prescription for a similar medication for which there had been an announced shortage.

As a result, Smyth was issued a reprimand, and the consent decree was finalized on Monday.