JUNEAU -- A former registered nurse has pleaded guilty to stealing drugs from Juneau's Bartlett Regional Hospital.

Victoria Peppenger accepted a plea deal with the state that calls for 18 months in prison with 17 months suspended. The 58-year-old began serving her sentence this week at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

Peppenger acknowledged stealing Fentanyl, a powerful narcotic painkiller. She surrendered her Alaska nursing license and agreed to never apply for another one.