Connecticut nursing board grants reinstatement of LPN license for Katie Ann Martins with conditions

The Connecticut board that licenses nurses voted to grant reinstatement of the practical nurse license for Katie Ann Martins (petition no. 2025-56) with conditions after a reinstatement hearing and discussion on May 7.

Board members said the reinstatement will be contingent on completion of a Department of Public Health–approved refresher course, successful passage of the NCLEX exam (required because Martins has been out of practice more than five years), and a four‑year probation that includes frequent drug and alcohol screening, employer and therapy reports, support‑group attendance records and a one‑year restriction on access to controlled‑substance keys.

The board’s assistant attorney general, Elizabeth Bannon, summarized the legal standard the panel used in its decision: “You may reinstate the license if you are satisfied that the practitioner is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients, customers or the public in general.” Bannon also explained that the board may impose disciplinary or corrective measures authorized under the cited statutory section referenced during the hearing.

Members who spoke during the discussion emphasized both concerns about how recently Martins began recovery and supports the board can require to monitor her practice. Cindy Arpin, a board member and registered nurse, said she found Martins’s recovery work “admirable” but expressed concern that Martins’s sobriety is relatively recent and that more monitored time in recovery would reduce risk to patients. Camille (family and psychiatric nurse practitioner) urged refresher training and clinical reacclimation, and recommended the monitoring conditions adopted by the board.

Dana Dalton, representing the Department of Public Health, told the board that department guidance requires an approved refresher course for applicants out of active clinical practice three to five years and requires retaking the NCLEX for applicants out more than five years.

The board first considered, and failed, a motion to deny reinstatement. After discussion the board voted to grant reinstatement with conditions; the roll call on the motion to grant was Cindy Arpin — aye; Camille — aye; Alex — aye; Elizabeth (board member) — abstain; Gina Reiner (board chair) — aye. The chair said the reinstatement will not become effective until a written decision is issued and signed at a future board meeting.

The written decision will include the conditions the board described during the hearing: completion of the refresher course and passing the NCLEX before practicing, a four‑year probationary monitoring plan (weekly drug and alcohol screening during the first and fourth years, twice monthly screening in the second and third years; monthly employer and therapy reports in years one and four and quarterly reports in years two and three), documentation of support‑group attendance (an average of 10 times per month with periodic reporting), work restrictions (no home‑care, pool nursing, assisted living or self‑employment that lacks employer oversight), and a one‑year narcotic‑key restriction. The board included tolling language specifying that probation begins after the refresher course is complete, passage of the NCLEX and when Martins obtains employment that would place her under the monitoring conditions.

Board members and counsel stressed the purpose of the conditions is protective monitoring rather than punishment. Assistant Attorney General Bannon and Department of Public Health staff will participate as needed in drafting the written order that will reflect the conditions the board voted to impose.

The reinstatement decision followed testimony, documentary exhibits and questioning during an in‑person/virtual hearing session the board reconvened from executive session; the board noted that its typical monitoring package for substance‑use‑related reinstatements is a four‑year probation tailored to the individual.