bellinghamherald.com on January 16, 2012 reported that a former nurse at St. Joseph hospital has been charged with unprofessional conduct after she allegedly tested positive for cocaine, methadone, marijuana and oxycodone while employed at the hospital. In spring 2010, an audit revealed Nicole M. Channel had failed to document how she disposed of 2 milligrams of morphine and 20 milligrams of hydrocodone, according to charging documents filed by the state's Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. She was then asked to take a urine test, and after testing positive for several drugs, Channel admitted she had recreationally used cocaine, marijuana and oxycodone, according to the charging documents. She also tested positive for methadone.

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bellinghamherald.com on September 26, 2011 reported that the state has suspended the credential of a Whatcom County licensed practical nurse for developing an improper relationship with a male patient that included kissing and provocative text messages. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission suspended Julie A. Milstead's license in August. Milstead met the man, identified only as Patient A, while he was being treated Sept. 16-21, 2010, at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, according to information released this week by the state Department of Health.

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pnwlocalnews.com on April 25, 2011 reported that the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission suspended the license of registered nurse Konstantin V. Kurkov, a former St. Francis Hospital employee charged with second-degree rape. Kurkov cannot practice in Washington until the charges are resolved, according to an April 25 news release on the state Department of Health website. Kurkov allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old woman on March 16 while she was at St. Francis in Federal Way for treatment of back pain. St. Francis officials confirmed that Kurkov had been accused twice prior to this incident of inappropriate contact with patients. In addition to firing Kurkov, St. Francis made a complaint against his nursing license.

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The Washington State Department of Health on October 06, 2010 published that Charges of drug and professional boundary violations lead to immediate license suspensions for Lakewood nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Barbara Boardman. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission and state Department of Health took this action based on allegations of drug trafficking and having a romantic relationship with a resident at the facility where she worked. Boardman (RN00112266, AP30006652) cannot work as a nurse in Washington until the charges are resolved.

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