Regulators suspend Mosinee nurse's license

MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) – State regulators have suspended a Mosinee nurse’s license for illegally taking prescription drugs from Aspirus Wausau and St. Clare’s Hospitals in 2008 and 2009.

The Board of Nursing indefinitely suspended Michelle Svoke’s license to practice as a registered nurse in a final decision that it reached in late January. She agreed to the discipline imposed upon her.

Svoke admitted to officials from both hospitals that she took more medicine than her patients needed and kept the extra for herself.

Aspirus allowed Svoke to return to work in 2008 on the condition that she undergo random drug screening and not be allowed to dispense controlled substances. The hospital fired her last May for violating terms of the agreement.

Svoke has a chance to have the suspension stayed after three months. That means the state would allow her to practice again if she received drug and alcohol treatment, maintained sobriety, submitted to drug testing and met other requirements ordered by the nursing board.

Svoke has an unlisted number and could not be reached for comment.

St. Clare's Hospital stands by its procedures protecting patients and holding employees who dispense prescription drugs accountable.

“As part of our promise to keep patients first in everything we do, matters of patient and employee safety continue to be among our highest priorities,” vice president of patient care services Coleen Hoerneman said in a written statement.

Svoke's case is one of about 440 cases the nursing board is actively investigating, said state regulation and licensing department spokesman David Carlson. The board usually hands down about 120 to 125 disciplinary actions each year.

The nursing profession is the largest the department regulates, Carlson said. There are about 85,000 registered nurses and 16,000 licensed practical nurses in the state.