Board pulls license of Cedar Rapids nurse accused of being drunk on the job

The Iowa Board of Nursing has suspended the license of a Cedar Rapids nurse accused of repeatedly showing up for work while intoxicated.

Tera Serbousek of Cedar Rapids worked as a registered nurse at “To The Rescue” home care agency that provides various types of care and support services to individuals in their homes.

A complaint filed with the state licensing board alleges Serbousek arrived at a patient’s home under the influence of drugs or alcohol on Nov. 14, 2024, while shadowing another nurse. Serbousek became unresponsive and the other nursing staff could not wake her, according to the complaint. An ambulance was called and Serbousek was taken to the hospital and released the next day.

She allegedly admitted to home care agency staff that she had been drinking heavily the night before, and the agency agreed to have her continue working while she participated in an employee assistance program.

Less than a month later, on Dec. 3, 2024, Serbousek’s co-workers contacted management with concerns that she was inebriated at work again. According to nursing staff, Serbousek could not remember the password to her laptop or how to chart her nursing notes, and spoke very slowly. A drug screen showed she tested positive for alcohol, according to the complaint.

Serbousek signed a settlement agreement accepted by the Iowa Board of Nursing on July 17. As part of the agreement, Serbousek consented to having her license “and privilege to practice nursing in Iowa” suspended for one year. She also agreed to participate in the Iowa Practitioner Health Program (IPHP) for nurses. The confidential, non-disciplinary monitoring program is designed to help nurses with substance abuse or mental health conditions recover and return to safe practice. It's an alternative to disciplinary action for nurses who self-report impairments, focusing on support and accountability.

She also waived her right to a formal hearing and to challenge the allegations against her, including the right to seek judicial review of the board’s actions.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com