Hospital nurse accused of drug use temporarily loses license • Iowa Capital Dispatch

The Iowa Board of Nursing has revoked the license of a Cedar Rapids nurse whom it accused of using methamphetamine and stealing patient medications or supplies.

State records show Trenton R. Buchanan was working as a hospital nurse in Iowa in 2023. On October 28, 2023, he was arrested at a campground in Altoona near Adventureland after police were called to the scene in response to a report of an assault and a dispute involving some type of weapon.

Buchanan was searched and police allegedly found two loaded hypodermic syringes, three syringe needles and two baggies containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Police alleged Buchanan admitted to using meth for the past two days.

Buchanan later pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to one year of probation. He was subsequently granted a deferred judgment, which could result in the conviction being expunged from court records.

In January 2024, the Board of Nursing charged Buchanan with committing an act likely to adversely affect a patient, misappropriation of patient supplies or medication, unauthorized possession of a controlled substance, and unauthorized use of medication that impairs his ability to exercise could affect professional activity.

According to the panel, the charges stemmed from Buchanan's arrest and the panel's finding that while working at an unspecified hospital in Iowa in April 2023, Buchanan stole needles and syringes from the hospital and left the facility without telling anyone notify. The panel alleges that one of Buchanan's patients at the time “had an event that required a rapid response.”

The panel's notes do not indicate the patient's outcome.

In August, the board agreed to settle its case with Buchanan by dropping disciplinary charges of misappropriation of patient supplies or medications and unauthorized use of medications that could impair his ability to practice.

As part of the settlement, Buchanan agreed to a 24-month suspension of his nursing license in Iowa.