Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Nursing board dropped the ball

Nursing board dropped the ball

Aug 27, 2008 - 04:06:22 CDT

The North Dakota Board of Nursing has stumbled in its efforts to review a potential violation of the Nurse Practices Act.

In July, the board spent a meeting discussing its executive director over accusations she violated the act.

The questions about Connie Kalanek involved the board's plans to implement criminal history checks. Also, there was a potential conflict of interest by Kalanek for hiring a firm co-owned by her son to do the checks.

The concerns were raised by Shelly Peterson, president of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, and Arnold Thomas, president of the North Dakota Healthcare Association. They sent letters to the governor, attorney general and nursing board on July 11 outlining their concerns.

Peterson and Thomas were worried because costs of doing the criminal checks through IDMetryx, the company co-owned by Connie Kalanek's son, Bill Kalanek, were higher than other available sources.

They also questioned whether the executive director had disclosed her relationship to the company's co-owner, which would be a violation of the Nurse Practices Act.

On Friday, the board dismissed the complaint against their executive director. Instead, they decided to review the case as an employee-employer issue.

They took the step after a representative of the attorney general's office told them how they needed to handle a formal investigation. It was either a formal investigation or an employee-employer review.

Board members appeared confused over whether they had agreed on an investigation during their July meeting. There also was confusion on the part of board members over whether Connie Kalanek had disclosed to the board that her son was a co-owner of IDMetryx.

Confusion that apparently will be sorted out through an internal review. The board will get an update on the situation on Sept. 18.

While some board members expressed confidence that Connie Kalanek wasn't trying to deceive them when IDMetryx was hired, it still merits a formal investigation.

There are issues of public trust involved. There needs to be an explanation over how the firm was selected and why members were being asked to pay more.

An investigation would benefit the nursing board and it would benefit Connie Kalanek.

If she did no wrong, this should be demonstrated by a thorough and public investigation.

Public officials need to stop doing things behind closed doors. Otherwise, they won't have the trust of the public.

To some, it will have the appearance that they have something to hide.

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Comments

observer wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:27 AM:

" Pretty easy to throw stones isn't it. Shame on you people. This article is about process not about guilt. The board has determined that there wasn't any intent to deceive... including Tello-Poole. That's what that makes this a non-issue. That is why we have boards, to review our public employees, and to make responsible judgments about how to spend taxpayer money... they don't see an issue and aren't going to waste our money to continue this public flogging. Yea, there is a hint of impropriety and that's why it was discussed, but it was determined that there isn't a problem here. End of story. "

retired nurse wrote on Aug 28, 2008 6:33 PM:

" I, too am ashamed of the Board for allowing Kalanek to bully and intimidate them into caving in and excusing her behavior. I am so glad to be retired and not be afraid to speak up for fear of having my licensed investigated for arbitrary reasons. She has insulted, demeaned, and humiliated nurses I have worked with for disagreeing with her opinions. Only one board member spoke up for what is right. TelloPool was the lone nurse who remembered the board missioin, her oath, and her ethics. She stated that 6 other board members told her they knew Kalanek did not inform them of her son's involvement with the company that Kalanek and her staff outsourced (not the board since they never approved ID Metrix). Thank goodness for nurses like Tellopool for representing our profession as it should be. Shame on all the others who chose to protect Kalanek and minimize this unethical act by dismissing the investigation. I agree that the Governor, States Attorney, and Attorney General need to pay attention and reconsider their lack of involvement. Nurses vote too... "

NDGuy wrote on Aug 27, 2008 3:24 PM:

" To Leonard: No. He is running for his third term so he doesn't have time to listen. Personally, I think he did do a good job for the State of ND but, like so many professional politicians, he has lost touch with the people and reality. No politician of any party should be allowed to serve more than 2 terms. Are you listening Kent, Byron, and Earl? "

Leonard wrote on Aug 27, 2008 12:38 PM:

" Is the Governor or the Board of Nursing listening to the public they serve? "

RN in ND wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:21 AM:

" I am not at all surprised about the recent events with the ND Board of Nursing. I knew it was only a matter of time before the true nature of this board would be brought to light. As an RN, I am ashamed to be associated with such an agency. However, I have no choice, which is a very sad state of affairs. Please check into this further, Governor, and do the right thing for our nursing profession. "

JT wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:08 AM:

" What a cover up. The board of nursing needs to be dismissed by the Governor. Perhaps he is worried about the embarrassment because he appointed all of them. The Burleigh County states attorney should be looking for viloations of state law. Where are our legislators on this. Are they tired of the controversy? It will be interesting to see how effective Connie will be at forwarding nursing issues to the legislature. She has lost ALL credibility.

A state agency director mandating nurses use her sons agency which charges higher rates than any other qualified organization, and there were NO options given at training sessions Ms. Kalanek provided. What ever happened to the original meeting information where it is shown she did not disclose to her board. She obviously fabricated a new packet to cover her tail. Are they all afraid of her. They all know it did not exist. They need to at a minimum terminate her employement.

There are honest hardworking nurses willing to fill that position. Our state government is absolutely crooked. "

former ND resident wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:55 AM:

" Convenient confusion? Kalanek, actually all those on the Board that think this is OK, should just resign now and save the taxpayers the money and time of an investigation. It was wrong, misleading, and a "no one will ever know" attitude. Thanks to Mary Tello-Poole for bringing it out in the open. "

Kevin wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:54 AM:

" This is just another example of governing boards that try to disipline others and are a watch dog group not even being able to govern themselves. The Govenor needs to step in and make a statement. This behind closed doors system that is used today should not and will not be tolerated. Boards will be held responsible for their actions. I cannot beleive that this Executive Director does not have a conflict of interest provision in her contract or in the policy manual and did not know what she was doing at the least was unethical. "

Leonard wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:15 AM:

" Because of Kalaneks actions the ND Board of Nursing has lost credibility. Much like other public officials in this fine state. It never seems to stop. "

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