STATE BOARD OF NURSING Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Elaine Burns Godard, R.N.; Doc. No. 0287-51-01 [31 Pa.B. 5862] Notice to Elaine Burns Godard, R.N.: On March 15, 2001, the Probable Cause Screening Committee made a probable cause determination that Elaine Burns Godard (Respondent), License No. RN-344380-L, violated the terms and conditions of the Voluntary Recovery Program Consent Agreement.
Accordingly, the stay of the suspension of respondent's license is now vacated, the period of probation is now terminated, and respondent's license to practice nursing is now actively suspended for 3 years.
Respondent shall immediately cease practicing the profession. Within 10 days, respondent shall surrender the wall certificate, registration certificate, wallet card and other licensure documents by forwarding them to the prosecuting attorney at P. O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649.
Within 20 days of this preliminary order, respondent may answer the Commonwealth's petition and request that a formal hearing be convened concerning respondent's violation of probation, in which respondent may seek relief from this preliminary order activating the suspension. Respondent shall serve the prosecuting attorney for the Commonwealth with a copy of the answer and all subsequent filings in this matter.
If a request for a formal hearing is received from respondent, the State Board of Nursing (Board) or its duly authorized hearing examiner shall convene a formal hearing within 45 days from the date of the Board's receipt of respondent's request for a formal hearing.
If respondent files an answer and request for a hearing within the 20 day period, this preliminary order activating the suspension shall remain in effect unless and until the Board issues a determination favorable to respondent after holding the formal hearing. The facts and averments in the VRP agreement shall be deemed admitted and uncontested at this hearing.
If after hearing the Board makes a determination adverse to respondent, the Board will issue a final order activating the suspension of respondent's license and imposing any additional disciplinary measures it deems appropriate.
If a request for a formal hearing is not received from respondent within the prescribed 20 day period, the Board's preliminary order shall automatically become the final order in this matter 20 days after the date of its mailing.
If the stay is terminated, respondent shall still comply with all terms and conditions of probation in the VRP agreement during the active suspension, other than those terms and conditions pertaining to practicing the profession. Continued failure by respondent to comply with the unaffected terms and conditions of probation shall result in further disciplinary action against respondent. This order shall take effect immediately.
Answers and any other pleadings should be filed with Deanna S. Walton, Prothonotary, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, 124 Pine Street, Suite 200, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
M. CHRISTINE ALICHNIE, Ph.D., R.N.,
Chairperson[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-1911. Filed for public inspection October 19, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]
