LIVE OAK —The Florida State Surgeon General ordered the restriction of Jennifer Ratliff Jernigan’s license to practice nursing after she was caught self-administering painkillers meant for a patient.

According to court documents, the Live Oak resident worked as a registered nurse at Lake City Medical Center when a doctor ordered two milligrams of morphine, a schedule II controlled substance, for a patient.

Jernigan then discontinued the doctor’s medication and entered a physician’s order for one milligram of hydromorphone, also a schedule II controlled substance that has a high potential for abuse.

Court documents state that the doctor noticed the discrepancy and triggered an investigation into the matter.

The chief nursing officer and vice president of human resources requested Jernigan complete a drug screen. Jernigan then resigned and did not complete the drug screen, according to court documents.

She later admitted to ordering the hydromorphone for a patient without physician authorization and administering the drug to herself, the documents state. She also admitted she had been diverting hydromorphone for personal use for around one year.

Court documents state, “Ms. Jernigan characterized her hydromorphone use as a ‘problem.’”

As a registered nurse, Jernigan was responsible for dispensing and administering medications in a safe and effective manner for patients, the documents state. Jernigan’s actions constituted an immediate, serious danger to the health, welfare and safety of the public, the documents continued.

Jernigan’s license was restricted to prohibit her from practicing in any setting where she might have access to controlled substances, the documents state. A formal discipline proceeding is planned.