Board of Examiners for Nursing: disciplinary motions, consent orders and votes at a glance

At its April 2 meeting the Board of Examiners for Nursing heard and acted on multiple disciplinary items: one summary suspension was imposed, the board approved two consent orders, accepted a voluntary surrender and withdrew related charges, rejected one consent order, and agreed to amendments on a previously issued memorandum of decision.

Summary suspension: Taylor R. Calmon (RN), petition 2025-307 The department presented evidence alleging that Taylor R. Calmon reported for a hospital shift on Feb. 21, 2025 while under the influence of alcohol and that a treating therapist concluded the nurse could not safely practice. Attorney Anthony Nanny told the board the department believed Calmon posed a “clear and immediate danger to public health and safety.” Board member Mary moved to summarily suspend Calmon’s license; Sal seconded. The board voted by roll call to summarily suspend the license and scheduled expedited hearing processes for due process. (Tally: yes 9; outcome: approved.)

Motion to withdraw statement of charges: Laura L. Stewart (RN), petition 2024-1756 The department asked the board to withdraw pending charges and vacate a summary suspension for Laura L. Stewart and to return Stewart to active probation under an earlier consent order. Attorney Nanny explained that two urine samples in Aug. and Sept. 2024 initially tested positive for fentanyl but that mass-spectrometry retests returned results “below the threshold.” The department said the conflicting lab results and the respondent’s existing probation warranted returning Stewart to probation rather than pursuing a hearing.

Board members expressed concern about the reliability of toxicology testing and asked the department to provide education or an expert briefing on testing procedures. After procedural confusion in the first roll call, the record shows the motion to withdraw charges and vacate the summary suspension passed under the votes cast (Department counsel confirmed the motion carried). (Tally: yes 4; abstain 5; outcome: approved — charges withdrawn, respondent returned to probation.)

Voluntary surrender and withdrawal: Olga Kwasnick (RN), petition 2025-52 Attorney Nanny reported that Olga Kwasnick surrendered her license in an affidavit submitted March 31, 2025. Because the respondent voluntarily surrendered the license, the department moved to withdraw the statement of charges; the board granted the motion by roll call. (Tally: yes 9; outcome: approved — charges withdrawn due to voluntary surrender.)

Consent order approved: Samuel Alexander Hatti (RN), petition 2024-244 The department presented a proposed consent order for Samuel Hatti following allegations of diversion and substance use while practicing. Attorney Joelle Newton described terms including a reprimand, four-year probation with urine screening and therapy, restricted narcotic access for one year, employer reporting, and requirements for medication management and support meetings. Attorney Richard Brown (counsel for the respondent) told the board Hatti said he has “learned a lot” and is prepared to comply. The board voted to approve the consent order; the department will sign and the order will take effect on the first day of the next month to allow administrative steps. (Tally: yes 9; outcome: approved — consent order to be finalized by department.)

Consent order rejected: Carlos Paradis (RN), petition 2024-574 The department sought approval of a two-year consent order for Carlos Paradis after a DUI arrest and a diagnosis of an emotional disorder. Proposed terms included therapy with monthly therapist reports in year one and quarterly in year two; urine screening weekly in year one and twice monthly in year two; reporting by employers and a ban on working for certain agency types. Board members debated the term length and monitoring frequency; many members said substance-use disorders typically require longer monitoring and expressed concern about slackening monitoring in year two. The motion to accept the two-year consent order failed on roll call (Tally: yes 2; no 5; abstain 2; outcome: failed — department may revise or proceed to hearing).

Reconsideration and revision of memorandum of decision: Tammy Picariello (LPN), petition 2024-1479 The board previously agreed to reconsider a memorandum of decision in this matter. Attorney representation asked the board to amend two portions of the order: (1) require two random urine screens monthly in years two and three (matching the board’s typical four-year substance-abuse structure) instead of the lower frequency written in the draft order; and (2) replace the tolling language (which had been written to pause probation during 30-day nonemployment periods) with the board’s usual tolling text that excludes practice outside the state from time counted toward probation. The board voted to adopt both amendments to the memorandum of decision. (Tally: yes 9 for both amendments; outcome: approved — MOD amended as requested.)

What the board asked the department to follow up on Board members repeatedly voiced concern about toxicology accuracy after the Laura Stewart matter and asked the Department of Public Health to arrange an expert briefing on urine/drug-screen testing and retesting procedures. The board also requested that credential documentation be filed for the Porter & Chester interim director appointment. Several board members emphasized that abstentions are treated differently than “no” votes: an abstention is recorded but does not count as a cast vote for or against a motion.

Next steps and hearings The board set expedited hearing procedures where required; respondents subject to summary suspension will be notified of hearing dates. The department will complete administrative steps for approved consent orders and will follow up on requested educational briefings about toxicology testing.