Two Iowa nursing home workers are facing sanctions for being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on duty. According to the Iowa Board of Nursing, Rocquel Clark, 34, of Madison County was on duty and working at an undisclosed long-term care facility on June 14, 2022, when multiple individuals reported that she appeared unbalanced and glassy-eyed, and that she was talking rapidly and slurring her speech. Clark allegedly left the facility three times during her shift and returned after picking up a patient’s prescription for morphine from a pharmacy. The board alleges workers later determined someone had tampered with the morphine and opened the container. Clark allegedly consented to a drug screen that resulted in a positive finding for oxycodone, opiates, amphetamine, and benzodiazepines. Recently, Clark and the board agreed to resolve the case with an indefinite suspension of her nursing license pending the completion of chemical dependency and mental health evaluations and the completion of any recommended treatment.
In an unrelated disciplinary case, the board alleged that Marlys Highland, 61, of Newton, was working at an undisclosed care facility in August 2022 when she reported to work while impaired in some fashion. The board charged Highland with the offense of either practicing nursing while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or illicit drugs, or practicing while impaired by legitimately prescribed medications. Highland and the board recently agreed to resolve the case with an indefinite suspension of her nursing license pending the completion of some form of treatment that was recommended earlier this year. Once that treatment is completed, Highland’s license will be placed on probation for 18 months.
