Imagine discovering that a nurse, someone entrusted with your care, has been convicted of burglarizing a patient’s home—and still gets to keep their license. This shocking case out of Eastern Iowa has left many questioning the integrity of professional accountability. But here’s where it gets even more unsettling: despite being caught on camera and convicted of a felony, Lisa R. Freeland, a 59-year-old registered nurse from Waterloo, will retain her nursing license after serving a one-year suspension. Let’s break down the details and explore why this decision has sparked such controversy.
According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Freeland, who worked for Right at Home—an in-home healthcare provider for seniors and disabled adults—was convicted of second-degree burglary in December 2024. Police records reveal that on December 20, 2024, Freeland entered a patient’s home without authorization while the man was asleep. The patient’s son, who was out of town, noticed the intrusion via his home security cameras and alerted authorities. The footage shows Freeland quietly moving through the house, peeking into rooms, and eventually tiptoeing into the kitchen, where she took a handful of white pills—later identified as oxycodone—and placed them in her coat pocket before leaving.
But here’s the part most people miss: After the incident, staff from Right at Home counted the patient’s medications and found approximately 30 oxycodone tablets missing. Freeland was charged with second-degree burglary and unlawful possession of prescription drugs, though the latter was dismissed. She received a deferred judgment for the felony charge. When questioned by the Iowa Board of Nursing, Freeland claimed she was providing respite care that day, despite having no authorization to be in the patient’s home.
In June 2025, the board charged her with misappropriating patient medications and unprofessional conduct. However, the resolution has left many scratching their heads: Freeland’s expired practical nurse license—not her active registered nurse license—will be suspended for one year and placed on probation for two years. Here’s the kicker: Her practical nurse license has been inactive since 1995, raising questions about the effectiveness of this disciplinary action.
As part of the settlement, Freeland must undergo a substance abuse evaluation, comply with its recommendations, and enroll in a drug-screening program. Yet, the fact that she retains her active nursing license has ignited a debate: Should healthcare professionals convicted of felonies involving patient trust be allowed to continue practicing? And this is where it gets controversial: some argue that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, while others believe the board’s decision prioritizes leniency over patient safety.
What do you think? Is this settlement fair, or does it undermine the trust patients place in their caregivers? Let us know in the comments—this is a conversation that deserves your voice.
