WENATCHEE — A former nurse at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center has lost her license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Washington state for 2½ years because she was convicted of a felony.

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Rhonda J. Couch, 36, can reapply for her nursing license no sooner than 30 months after her conviction, if she pays a $1,000 fine and completes 16 hours of coursework in ethics, according to a decision released Monday by the state Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

In April 2007, Couch pleaded guilty in Chelan County Superior Court to first-degree theft and first-degree forgery for fraudulently obtaining and depositing a check for $2,235.68 from the Chelan County Treasurer's Office into her bank account on Dec. 26, 2006, according to court documents. Couch told police she received the check via e-mail after asking for financial help online from a site where users can "cyber beg" for donations, the documents state.

She was sentenced to 11 days in jail, with 10 days converted to time served on a state Department of Corrections work crew.

She was fired from her job as jail nurse after her arrest in January 2007. She was an LPN for five years.

The nursing commission in June suspended Couch's license and set terms that must be completed before seeking reinstatement, making public its decision on Monday.

Couch did not return a call on Monday seeking comment.

A felony conviction is considered unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action under state law.

K.C. Mehaffey: 997-2512

mehaffey@wenworld.com