- April 21, 2026
Dear Editor:
I read with profound interest the letter to the editor from Darla Widnall. I agree with her assessment of the judge. I was appalled by the way the situation presented itself. This woman acting as a nurse violated so many rules.
From what I read, I am guessing the hospital has to assume some responsibility for this fiasco. They did not seek the proper documentation on this woman before hiring her.
I am a retired registered nurse with an active valid license in Florida and with my Ohio license on standby. I have been legally licensed for 63 years. In Ohio, we sat for two days taking written exams.
Because she bypassed the licensing exam, there was no way to evaluate her knowledge base. I firmly believe she did jeopardize the lives of the 4,486 she attended. Also, the hospital opened itself up to possible serious lawsuits by allowing an unlicensed person posing as a registered nurse dispensing medication, and making decisions about these patients. In Florida, if a nurse makes an error in action or judgement, it is her/his license that is being jeopardized, not the hospital. In this case, I believe there was additional areas of liability.
These statements are my opinion based on years of service in a plethora of nursing positions from bedside to administration, and it hurts me to hear of such gross negligence on the part of this "nurse."
Thank you for the opportunity to voice an opinion and thank you to Ms. Widnall for her comments on this situation.
Sandra McGonigal
Ormond Beach
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