A nurse punched a co-worker on the way to work. That’s not why she’s no longer a nurse
A registered nurse has had her license restricted after getting to work at a Tallahassee hospital with a blood alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit.
And Ruth Gray’s co-worker smelled it as she drove them to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, according to the emergency restriction order issued Friday.
Gray’s been an RN in Florida since February 2012. Though she lives in Zephyrhills, she worked as a travel nurse for Boca Raton’s Cross Country Healthcare, and that’s the address of record on her license.
In October, she was contracted with and assigned to Tallahassee Memorial.
“During the commute (on Dec. 26), the co-worker smelled alcohol on Ms. Gray and asked Ms. Gray if she was intoxicated,” the ERO said.
“Ms. Gray hit the co-worker in response.”
Once at the hospital, however, staff wanted Gray to hit the breathalyzer. Legally drunk is 0.08 grams per 210 liters. The ERO said Gray blew 0.304, 3.8 times the legal limit.
“Ms. Gray left the facility without notice and was unable to be located,” the ERO said. “TMH terminated Ms. Gray’s contract.”
Until an Intervention Project for Nurses-approved evaluator says Gray is safe to resume nursing, her license is restricted from her practicing as a nurse.
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 7:48 AM with the headline "A nurse punched a co-worker on the way to work. That’s not why she’s no longer a nurse."
