Nurse Accused of Stealing Pain Meds Gets Probation

The nurse who reportedly told her patient to "man up and take some pain" after allegedly stealing a portion of his intended fentanyl dose has copped a plea that will keep her out of jail.

Sarah Casareto, RN, received 3 years' probation as part of the plea agreement. The alleged theft occurred while she was tending to patient Larry King, 56, who was on his way to the OR for kidney stone surgery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn.

"Clearly I remember (the "man up" comment)," Mr. King told local reporters. "I can't really use the language I'd use to describe what it's like when you lay on that table and can hear and feel everything they're doing to you."

OR personnel reportedly had to hold down the screaming and moaning Mr. King during the procedure. Ms. Casareto, who was said to appear drugged, told him to "Go to your beach. Go to your happy place."

Ms. Casareto's attorney says he was prepared to call witnesses who would have denied that Mr. King was in excessive pain during the procedure. But he refused to comment further, citing Ms. Casareto's pending review before the state nursing board, where she will attempt to regain her license.

Tony Nemo, Mr. King's attorney, says he "vigorously" opposed the plea deal and is pursuing civil lawsuits against Ms. Casareto and the hospital that formerly employed her.

"Due to confidentiality we cannot discuss current or former employees," said Abbot Northwestern in a statement issued at the time of Ms. Casareto's arrest in February. "She no longer works (at the hospital). Patient safety is our primary concern."