Nurse resigns from Kern Medical after co-workers say she stole drugs – Bakersfield Now

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — 

A registered nurse who worked for Kern Medical is the target of an investigation by the state’s agency that regulates the nursing profession.

Because no criminal charges have been filed, Eyewitness News decided not to reveal the nurse’s name.

Court papers obtained Monday describe an incident in January in which two nurses in the hospital’s emergency room set up a camera to watch one of their co-workers whom they suspected was diverting drugs.

The affidavit, filed by the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs, says the video captures the suspect withdrawing five milliliters of fentanyl from a patient’s IV bag.

Fentanyl is a strong narcotic used to treat chronic pain.

The alleged tampering was reported to hospital management and the nurse took a urine test that returned positive for fentanyl and oxycodone, according to the state investigator’s report.

Requests Monday for information from Kern Medical were not returned. The report says the nurse was placed on leave and then ultimately resigned from her position.