Four Iowa nurses are accused of putting patients at risk

State regulators have charged four Iowa nurses with incompetence or acting in a manner that put patients at risk.

The Iowa Board of Nursing has charged Trisha M. Davis of Holstein with a lack of knowledge, skill, or ability to discharge her professional obligations; deviation from the standards of learning, education, or skill ordinarily possessed by other nurses; willful or repeated failure to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety; committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare; and failing to assess or accurately the status of a patient or client.

The board has disclosed no information related to the circumstances that gave rise to the charges other than to say they occurred when Davis was practicing in Cherokee. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2026.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach Davis for comment.

Other Iowa nurses recently charged with incompetence include:

Melanie Hall of Sioux City — The board alleges Hall entered incorrect information regarding a patient’s medical condition into record or a device after misreading a lab report. According to the board, she also failed to follow proper isolation procedures, potentially exposing patients to cross contamination, and failed to follow proper disinfection protocols following the treatment of a patient. The board charged Hall with one count of committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare.

To settle the case without a hearing, the board agreed to issue Hall a warning that any such future conduct might result in sanctions. As part of the settlement, Hall has agreed to complete 30 hours of educational training on the nursing profession’s standard of practice.

Erica Roethler of Riceville — The board alleges Roethler was working as a registered nurse at MercyOne Medical Center in New Hampton on July 16, 2025, when she failed to adequately respond to a patient whose condition was rapidly deteriorating. Roethler also failed to transfer the patient to a higher level of care in a timely manner, the board alleged. The patient subsequently required emergency intubation and was in critical condition, according to the board. The board charged Roethler with failing to assess the status of a patient or client, committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare and failing to accurately document the status of a patient.

To settle the case without a hearing, Roethler has agreed to complete 60 hours of educational training related to patient assessments, documentation, professional accountability and ethics. As part of the settlement agreement, Roethler’s license will be placed on probation for two years, during which she will be subject to monitoring.

Billie Munson of Hills — The board alleges Munson incorrectly entered information for a patient into some unspecified record or device and then “ignored warnings” she was given. The board has not disclosed where or when the alleged conduct occurred, other than to say it transpired while she was working in Iowa City.

The board recently charged Munson with professional incompetence, failing to assess or document the status of a patient and committing an act that might adversely affect a patient’s welfare. To settle the matter without a hearing, Munson has agreed to a one-month suspension of her license and to complete 30 hours of educational training on the subject of medication administration.