Board grants summary suspensions against four nurses after school affidavits and Operation Nightingale referrals

The Connecticut Department of Public Health Nursing Board voted to summarily suspend four registered nurses after the department presented affidavits from Medlife Institute and other investigative materials saying the nurses did not meet program or transcript requirements. Which cases: The board granted summary-suspension motions for Kanesha Shields (petition number cited in the record as 2025-9293 / 2025-293 in packet), Tynisha Pridgen (petition number 2025-327), and Cheryl Charlton (petition number 2025-237). In each case the departmentrepresented that affidavits from Medlife Institute in Naples, Florida, indicated the respondent did not complete required program hours or clinical training necessary for an associate of science in nursing. Operation Nightingale: For Tynisha Pridgen the department indicated the petition was referred as part of "Operation Nightingale"; the departmentsaid Medlifehad averred that from 2015 through the date of its affidavit no valid transcripts or diplomas were issued to students who resided outside Florida and that the Medlife program did not offer an LPN-to-RN bridge program the respondent believed she was in. Board action and procedure: Department attorneys presented each summary-suspension motion under Conn. Gen. Stat. 4-182(c) and 19a-17(c). For each case a board member moved to grant the departmentmotion, a second was recorded, and the board took roll-call votes. The chair announced the motions had passed and informed each respondent(if present) that the suspension prevents practice pending a scheduled hearing and that hearings will be expedited. What the board said: Chair Gina Reiner told respondents they "will have the opportunity of a hearing" and that the hearing office would schedule a prompt hearing to allow respondents to present a defense or counsel. Respondents who were present protested they had long nursing experience or denied the characterization; the chair reiterated the procedural steps and next hearing rights. Why this matters: The department asserted these suspensions were necessary because continuing practice by nurses who lack verified training or valid credentials presents a potential and immediate risk to public health and safety. Speakers quoted in this article are those who presented or participated in the suspensions and are listed in the speakers section below.