Board approves four-year probation consent order for Tiffany Kuzinski, RN

The Connecticut Nursing Board approved a consent order for Tiffany C. Kuzinski, RN (petition no. 2024-913), imposing a four-year probation with monitoring and treatment conditions after the department—s presentation of a positive test result and treatment history.

Department staff attorney Julianne Kataya summarized the terms. Kuzinski, who has no prior disciplinary history, reported that she used or abused alcohol or controlled substances in 2022 and sought help through the Haven program in early 2024. As part of treatment, she was required to submit urine screens; an August 2024 screen was reported positive for cocaine and/or alcohol. She has remained in monitoring and compliant with requirements since that event, Kataya said.

The consent order the board approved requires four years of probation. Key terms include weekly observed urine screens in years 1 and 4 of probation and twice-monthly screens in years 2 and 3; continued therapy with therapist reports monthly in years 1 and 4 and quarterly in years 2 and 3; employer reports at the same frequency; attendance at 8 to 10 anonymous support-group meetings per month; restrictions on issuing narcotics during the first year while employed as a nurse; and monthly reporting by the therapist and employer as noted.

Cindy Arpin moved to grant the consent order; Elizabeth Rivera Rodriguez seconded. The board approved the consent order by roll call. Assistant Attorney General Liz Bannon clarified for the record that Kuzinski had not been summarily suspended and that the consent order—s effect was to place monitoring and restrictions under the probation terms the board approved.

Kuzinski indicated she was currently employed but not practicing as a nurse because her license had been suspended; the order includes language specifying the narcotics restriction applies while working as a nurse during the probationary period.