Board revokes RN Juliet Ann Cole's license after finding on all charges

The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing voted to find Juliet Ann Cole, RN, in violation of the department's probation order and revoked her nursing license after a disciplinary hearing that included testimony from a family witness and documentary exhibits.

Board chair Gina Reiner announced the finding and read the roll call after a motion to find on all charges carried. The board later voted to revoke Cole’s license as the remedy, with four board members voting “aye” and one member abstaining.

The board considered documentary evidence including a July 3, 2024 consent order (Petition No. 2020-31230) that placed Cole on probation and a monitoring and employer record alleging relapses and missed testing. The Department of Public Health urged revocation in closing argument. Department counsel argued there were multiple references in clinical and program records documenting periods of problematic alcohol use and noncompliance with monitoring requirements; counsel also noted the respondent’s license had lapsed on Aug. 31, 2024.

Respondent Juliet Ann Cole acknowledged some factual points during testimony and in her closing remarks. Cole told the board, “there has been no evidence of impairment at work. There has been no evidence of withdrawal symptoms at work. There has been no evidence of substances in my urine at any time.” A family witness, Diane Cole, testified that she attended meetings with the respondent and said she did not observe impairment at those sessions.

In closing argument the department urged revocation, saying the record included multiple, independent clinical notes and monitoring entries that supported a finding of abuse and probation violations. The board discussed inconsistencies it said appeared in the record and witness statements when debating remedy.

The board first voted on a motion to find on all charges. Roll-call results on the finding motion were: Cindy Arpin, aye; Sal (Diaz), aye; Lisa, aye; Elizabeth, abstain; Gina Reiner, aye. After finding the charges proved, the board considered remedy. A motion to revoke Cole’s license was made and seconded; the revocation motion passed with the same roll-call distribution: four ayes, one abstention.

Reiner told Cole the revocation is effective immediately and that a written memorandum of decision from the hearing office will follow outlining the board’s findings and the procedure for any future application for reinstatement. Board members and counsel explained that revocation takes immediate effect and that reinstatement, if ever sought, would require a formal application to the Department of Public Health and a showing that conditions for safe practice are satisfied.

The hearing record includes the consent order and monitoring reports the board cited in its discussion. The board also discussed that Cole’s license had expired and noted the procedural effect of a lapsed credential when considering remedies.

The board closed the matter and moved to the next scheduled hearing.