(Photo illustration by Iowa Capital Dispatch; background photo by JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)
A nurse who lost her license in Nebraska and was accused of stealing patient medications can continue to practice in Iowa, state regulators have ruled.
In April 2024, the Iowa Board of Nursing charged Kristine Brammer of Clearfield with misappropriating medications or property, having her license to practice nursing revoked or suspended by another authority, and unauthorized possession or use of a controlled substance.
The board alleges that while employed as a licensed practical nurse at an unspecified care facility in May of 2023, Brammer failed to complete the required medication counts and that narcotic medications were later found to be missing. She also was accused of failing to account for a controlled substance that was signed out but then refused by the patient.
While employed at a different care facility in June 2023, Brammer documented the administration of narcotic pain medications to patients who later denied receiving them, the board alleges. She also is alleged to have signed out narcotic pain medications at a greater frequency than was ordered by physicians, and to have signed out narcotic pain medications without documenting how the drugs were used.
According to the board, Brammer denies the allegations.
On Aug. 30, 2023, the Nebraska Board of Nursing revoked Brammer’s ability to practice in that state. The Nebraska board records indicate that in 2022 she was fired or lost her privileges while working at two separate health care facilities and then failed to report those matters to the board.
Two weeks ago, the Iowa Board of Nursing resolved its case against Brammer by issuing her a warning and advising her that if she fails to continue her participation in the Iowa Practitioner Health Program she may be subject to further discipline. Her license to practice in Iowa remains unrestricted.
The board’s order indicates she was charged in 2024 only with misappropriating medications and the revocation of her Nebraska license, and makes no mention of the third charge documented in the formal statement of charges, unauthorized possession or use of a controlled substance.