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Registered nurse's license contested after elevated ETG test; coworker testifies in support
Summary
A state disciplinary hearing reviewed evidence of two positive alcohol screens for a nurse identified in the record as Miss White. A former coworker, identified in the record as Roxane O'Neill (spelling of the surname varies in the transcript), testified that White was an exemplary employee; a proposed decision will go to the nursing board.
At a disciplinary hearing, the Department argued that two positive alcohol screens and an elevated ethyl glucuronide (ETG) result supported revocation or other discipline for a registered nurse identified in the record as Miss White. Attorney Kataya told the panel that one test showed an ETG of "6,335 nanogs per milliliter when the cutoff is 500," and said the respondent had not complied with the terms of a consent order.
The panel heard testimony from a former coworker identified in the record as Roxane O'Neill, who said the respondent (referred to in testimony as "Dana") worked at the Lutheran Home of Southbury beginning in December 2023 and "was an exemplary, employee" who "went above and beyond" for patients. O'Neill testified that "not once did she ever come in under the influence of any alcohol," and said White had been open with managers about a history of substance issues.
In her closing statement, Attorney Kataya summarized the department's position that the record shows repeated positive screens and argued the nurse was unable to maintain recovery while working, asking the factfinder to consider license revocation or other discipline. In response, Miss White acknowledged the two positive tests, said she believed the August 2025 result was caused by eating cookie dough balls while taking cold medicine, and said she had complied with a 45-day work hold. "I complied fully and was cleared by the Department of Public Health to return back to work on October 6th," she said, adding that she has been working since without incident and that therapy reports and work reports have been positive.
Counsel and the presiding officer clarified procedural timing: the return-to-work on Oct. 6 occurred before a summary suspension that began about two weeks before the hearing. The presiding officer said she will review the record and that a proposed decision will be presented to the nursing board for a final vote. No final disciplinary vote or outcome was announced at the hearing.
The hearing record reflects contested factual claims (the department's characterization of ETG levels and the respondent's explanation for positive tests), character testimony from a former coworker, and procedural questions about the timing of a summary suspension and prior consent-order restrictions. The panel did not announce a final determination; the next step is consideration of a proposed decision by the nursing board.
