Jennifer Melcher, a licensed nurse from Salem, has voluntarily surrendered her nursing license following new disciplinary action from the Iowa Board of Nursing involving allegations of drug use and on-duty impairment.
In its most recent case, the board charged Melcher with excessive use of drugs that may impair a licensee’s ability to practice safely and competently. The charge stemmed from allegations that Melcher repeatedly used marijuana and was suspected by co-workers of being impaired while on duty. The board has not released the name of Melcher’s employer, her specific role, or whether any patients were affected.
Without admitting to the allegations, Melcher agreed to surrender her nursing license to resolve the matter.
This is not the first time Melcher has faced disciplinary action. In September 2024, the Board of Nursing charged her with a similar violation, again alleging repeated marijuana use. In that case, there was no indication she was under the influence while working. Melcher accepted an indefinite suspension of her license at the time, with reinstatement contingent upon her being deemed fit to return to practice.
Court records also show a pattern of impaired driving incidents. In February 2025, Melcher was arrested in Henry County after a single-vehicle accident and charged with second-offense operating while intoxicated (OWI). She later pleaded guilty. The incident marked at least her third OWI arrest, with prior convictions in 2010 in Wapello County and in 2017 while she was employed by GrapeTree Medical Staffing. In the 2017 case, she initially faced a second-offense OWI charge but ultimately pleaded guilty to a reduced first-offense charge.
Melcher’s nursing license status and disciplinary history are publicly recorded by the Iowa Board of Nursing and will remain part of the state’s official record.