Rhode Island Nurse An 'Immediate Danger To The Public,' Says RIDOH

A Rhode Island nurse worked a shift at a nursing home while under the influence of alcohol and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence as she was heading home, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Sherry McCaffrey posed an "immediate danger to the public," the department declared in its summary suspension of McCaffrey's nursing license.

The summary suspension was issued Thursday.

McCaffrey was working the 3-11 p.m. shift at a nursing home June 26 when "her colleagues noted that (she) had been taking extended breaks in her vehicle and was difficult to find on the assigned unit," RIDOH said.

McCaffrey "did not complete numerous responsibilities for patients, including administration of medication and documentation of treatments," according to RIDOH, and as her shift went on "began slurring (her) words and smelled of alcohol upon return from (a) break in (her) car.

McCaffrey was relieved of her duties, escorted out of the nursing home and drove off in her car, the department said.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., McCaffrey was pulled over by a Glocester police officer who found "open containers of alcohol in her vehicle, as well as an unopened bottle of wine in the front seat," RIDOH said.

McCaffrey was "placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and received a summons for refusal to submit to a chemical test, a laned roadway violation and operating below minimum speed," the department said.

McCaffrey, a graduate of the Community College of Rhode Island, was licensed as a registered nurse in July 1994, according to RIDOH.