Corvallis had two nurses who were disciplined by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The OSBN is part of the executive branch of Oregon state government. One nurse was practicing without a license and another one refused to cooperate with an investigation. Fines and suspensions were handed out.
The OSBN meets regularly throughout the year, holding five in-person meetings and seven teleconferenced meetings. The Board meetings are open to the public. The OSBN interprets the Oregon Nurse Practice Act; evaluates and approves nursing education and nursing assistant training programs; issues licenses and renewals; investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action against licensees who violate the Oregon Nurse Practice Act.
Recently the board issued a fine against nurse Karen Keuneke. Her registered nursing license was put in jeopardy because she was practicing without a current Oregon license. The board first issued her license in September 1982. However, it expired in the beginning of May. She continued to see patients a Corvallis senior living home.
She discovered her license had expired and in August, handed over her nursing duties. Information stated that Keuneke reported herself to the board after having practiced nursing without a valid license for a total of 59 days. The board imposed a civil penalty of $1,445 against her license.
The second report on a registered nurse was of David Norton. Licensed since 2003, he recently got disciplined for failing to cooperate with a board investigation. It involved slapping and flicking the hands of a resident a report stated. After repeated notices to respond, the board stated that Norton did not. The board then mailed a notice of proposed suspension to Norton and granted him 20 days to request a hearing. Norton did not request a hearing within the 20 days.
Norton’s license is suspended until he cooperates with the board’s investigation, according to the Oregon State Board of Nursing. In addition to disciplining nurses, the board maintains the nursing assistant registry and administers competency evaluations for nursing assistants; and, provides testimony to the legislature and other organizations as needed.
