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Board sanctions two nurses for issues related to alcohol use

['Clark Kauffman', 'More From Author', '- January']

Date: 2022-01-18 00:00:00


The Iowa Board of Nursing board has indefinitely suspended the license of a nurse accused of failing to comply with board orders related to her use of alcohol.

In February of last year, Kari Riordan of Mason City agreed to have her nursing license placed on probation and agreed to refrain from using alcohol. The decision stemmed from allegations by the board that in 2018 law enforcement had found Riordan to be in possession of methamphetamine, and that in 2019 police had found marijuana in her home.

As part of her probation, Riordan agreed in February to submit to periodic chemical testing.

By August of last year, Riordan had failed two tests to screen for alcohol use and had missed 12 screenings. On three occasions, she allegedly failed to provide the necessary samples for testing.

As a result, the board charged Riordan in August with violating the terms of her probation.

More recently, the board resolved the case by indefinitely suspending Riordan’s license. Riordan, the board said, “has been faced with some unfortunate incidents, but has worked hard to overcome those challenges. However, not only did she miss her required testing, she did not abstain from alcohol and displayed little ownership of her poor choices.”

Riordan can reapply for a license after completing a substance abuse evaluation and after completing 12 months of documented, continuous sobriety.

Board restarts probation for nurse

In a separate matter, the board recently agreed to restart the one-year probation period for nurse Vicki Stork of West Des Moines.

In January of last year, Stork was charged with excessive use of alcohol that could impair her ability to practice nursing. In April, her license was placed on probation. In May, she allegedly tested positive for alcohol use and in June, she allegedly failed to submit to a required blood test. On five occasions, she allegedly failed to complete the required check-ins as part of a chemical-screening program.

Board records indicate Stork has been employed at an Iowa hospital – the board doesn’t identify the hospital – since 2008, and that she was convicted of drunken driving in March 2007, July 2011 and June 2020. In 2017, she allegedly told the board she had never been convicted of a criminal offense.

After an October hearing on charges that she violated the terms of her probation, the board concluded some of the issues were related to miscommunication between Stork and her case manager. The board voted to issue Stork a warning and agreed to restart Stork’s probation period, with a new case manager assigned.

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