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BILLINGS –

The Montana Board of Nursing wants to strip certification from Donald Mills, the nurse who admitted he stole narcotics from more than 300 patients at Billings Clinic.

In a notice of proposed board action that was filed by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry last Thursday, the nurse who diverted the drugs is identified as Mills.

Mills was fired from the hospital after he was caught taking Fentanyl that was meant for patients and giving them saline instead, according to a notice sent to affected patients last week.

Mills allegedly admitted using the drug, which is an opiate, during his nursing shifts but denied feeling like he was under the influence of the narcotic.

Fentanyl is used as a sedative for patients in the hospital’s catheterization lab.

The Board wants to revoke Mills’ certification, which would mean he could no longer practice nursing under a multi-state practice privilege in any state in the Nurse Licensure Compact, according to the documents.

Mills received his certification in June of 2014 and began working at Billings Clinic in August of 2016.

The complaint against Mills was filed by the Chief Nursing Officer for Billings Clinic on March 15, 2017.

Mills allegedly admitted to the Chief Nursing Officer that he began taking the Fentanyl for himself in November of 2016 to treat his neck and shoulder pain and continued to do so until he was caught and reported by another nurse in March.

He had initially been just taking medication leftover after administering a dose to the patient, but Mills said his methods became more risky as he became addicted to Fentanyl.

To conceal the theft, Mills pretended to waste the remaining Fentanyl but pocketed the leftover medication, according to the complaint.

Mills then began swapping the drug for saline, according to documents.

Mills was caught after he began accessing the cath lab during his leave from work to obtain additional vials of the drug.

When questioned after he was caught, Mills acknowledged the severity of his conduct.

“He expressed regret for his actions and detailed the rehabilitative steps he has taken since the Billings Clinic terminated his employment,” according to the documents.

The hospital notified 341 patients that could have been affected by the diversion scheme.

According to the notice from the Board of Nursing, Mills may request a judicial review before the suspension is final.

Mills also has the choice of entering an agreement that resolves potential or pending charges that include “one or more sanctions authorized by the law,” according to the document.

It’s not yet known what, if any, criminal charges Mills might face.

PREVIOUSLY: Billings nurse caught replacing patient drugs with saline