MedSpa Nurse Under Dual Investigation for Controlled Substance and Safety Violations
- Dual investigations: An Iowa nurse is facing disciplinary action from both the state Board of Nursing and Board of Pharmacy over alleged documentation and medication-handling violations at a medical spa.
- Scope matters: Overlapping roles in nontraditional clinical settings can increase scrutiny and risk if professional boundaries and scope-of-practice laws aren’t clearly followed.
- Documentation protects: Accurate record-keeping and clear role definitions are essential safeguards, especially when controlled substances and multiple regulatory agencies are involved.
Antoinette Thompson, a registered nurse from Pleasant Hill, Iowa, is currently under investigation by two state regulatory boards, the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. Thompson’s case highlights the complexities of professional oversight and role boundaries that can arise in nontraditional clinical settings such as medical spas.
The case has drawn attention across Iowa and beyond due to its complexity and dual-agency oversight, prompting wider discussion about ethics, jurisdiction, and safe nursing practice in alternative care settings.
What’s Happening with Antoinette Thompson?
Thompson, who previously worked as both a medical director and registered nurse at Live Hydration Spa in Ames, is now facing disciplinary action from two state agencies following events that led to her termination in September 2024.
The Iowa Board of Pharmacy filed charges in January 2025, alleging that Thompson forged or altered prescriptions, dispensed controlled substances without proper authorization, and provided inaccurate information related to pharmacy practice according to Iowa Capital Dispatch. If confirmed, these actions could violate sections of Iowa’s Controlled Substances Act and raise concerns about medication oversight and patient safety.
Separately, the Iowa Board of Nursing brought forward eight allegations in April 2025 (Case 2024-0321). The claims include incomplete documentation, unsafe medication management, and failure to properly assess or report patient conditions which are issues that the board says reflect possible lapses in professional judgment and record-keeping standards.
According to a court petition filed by Live Hydration Spa, Thompson was terminated after management alleged that her actions posed “imminent danger to patient health and safety” and violated her franchise agreement by opening a competing business offering similar services, including IV vitamin therapy, injections, hormone replacement therapy, and Botox treatments.
Thompson has denied those claims and filed a civil lawsuit against Live Hydration, alleging breach of contract and defamation. She asserts that the company attempted to undermine her franchise and take control of the Ames location. Live Hydration has rejected those allegations in its legal filings. The trial is currently set for December 15, 2026.
What Nurses Can Learn from This
Thompson’s case highlights the potential professional challenges that can arise when nursing roles intersect with other regulated areas such as pharmacy or medical aesthetics. As the nursing profession continues to expand into wellness and aesthetic settings, understanding and adhering to scope-of-practice laws remains critical to maintaining compliance and protecting patient safety.
Key Lessons for Nurses:
- Documentation Protects Your Practice
Accurate, detailed documentation is more than a formality—it’s an essential legal safeguard. The Nursing Board’s claims of incomplete charting serve as a reminder that if care isn’t documented, regulators may determine it didn’t happen. - Controlled Substances Require Strict Oversight
Whether in hospitals or med spas, handling and dispensing controlled substances must comply with federal and state law. Even small errors in tracking, storage, or reporting can trigger serious disciplinary review. - Know and Respect Your Scope of Practice
Before expanding into new clinical or business ventures, nurses should review their state’s Nurse Practice Act and related regulations. Practicing only within authorized skills and supervision requirements helps protect both patients and professional licenses.
The Bottom Line
As hearings progress into 2026, Thompson’s case reflects a broader truth about modern nursing: accountability and ethical leadership extend beyond the bedside. In an era where clinical practice increasingly intersects with business, aesthetics, and wellness care, nurses must carry their commitment to safety, integrity, and evidence-based practice into every setting. Professional excellence isn’t defined by location, it’s sustained through learning, compliance, and trust.
As of publication, no final disciplinary decisions have been made by either board, and all allegations remain under review.
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