The Iowa Board of Nursing has suspended the license of a Cedar Rapids nurse it accused of using methamphetamine and stealing patients’ medications or supplies.

State records show Trenton R. Buchanan was working as a hospital nurse in Iowa in 2023. He was arrested on October 28, 2023, at an Altoona campground near Adventureland after police were called to the scene on a report of an assault and a dispute involving some type of weapon.

Buchanan was searched and police allegedly found two loaded hypodermic syringes, three syringe needles and two bags of substances believed to be methamphetamine. Police allege Buchanan admitted to using meth in the past two days.

Buchanan later pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine possession charge and was sentenced to one year of probation. He was later granted a deferred verdict, which could have resulted in the conviction being removed from the court record.

In January 2024, the Board of Nursing charged Buchanan with taking an action that could adversely affect a patient, misuse of patient supplies or medications, unauthorized possession of a controlled substance, and unauthorized use of medication that could impair ability to practice.

According to the board, the charges stemmed from Buchanan’s arrest and the board’s finding that in April 2023, while working at an unspecified Iowa hospital, Buchanan stole needles and syringes from the hospital and left the facility without telling anyone. The board alleges that one of Buchanan’s patients “experienced an event that required advanced intervention” at that time.

Board records provide no clue as to the patient’s outcome.

In August, the board agreed to resolve its case with Buchanan by dropping disciplinary charges of misuse of patient supplies or medications and unauthorized use of medication that could negatively impact her ability to work.

As part of the agreement, Buchanan agreed to have her Iowa nursing license suspended for 24 months.