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Board weighs reinstatement terms for nurse who voluntarily surrendered license in 2016
Summary
DPH presented a reinstatement request for Cherish Ostrowski, who surrendered her license in 2016 citing substance use; DPH recommended a typical four-year probation with an initial compliance period before practice and board members recommended 6–12 months off-practice, with several favoring nine months.
The board heard a reinstatement request from Cherish Ostrowski, RN, who voluntarily surrendered her license in September 2016. Dana Dalton, a nurse consultant with the Department of Public Health, summarized Ostrowski’s record: she surrendered her license after a substance-use issue, has since passed an NCLEX refresher, and has provided personal statements, employer letters and some primary-care records. DPH reported two clean urine screens and recommended a standard reinstatement consent order: four years of probation and an initial compliance period before the nurse can resume practice.
"We were recommending a typical reinstatement consent order with 4 years of probation," Dalton said, adding that DPH proposed the licensee be unable to practice until cleared by the monitoring section after an initial compliance period.
Board members debated the appropriate length of the non-practice compliance period. Lisa Freeman said she would prefer a longer pre-practice period to establish stability: "The minimum I would say would be 9 months, and I'd be more comfortable with 12 months of not practicing while her compliance adherence is monitored." Sal Salvatore Diaz argued for six months before return to practice, saying the stress of work could be a necessary test of supports. Several members coalesced around a recommendation that DPH consider nine months of non-practice followed by a four-year monitored probation if compliance is demonstrated.
No formal vote was taken; the board provided recommendations to DPH for use in drafting a consent order if the department moves to reinstate Ostrowski’s license.
