A criminal charge or conviction can put your nursing career at risk. Whether you are dealing with a misdemeanor or a felony, the North Carolina Board of Nursing has broad authority to investigate and discipline license holders who run into legal trouble. If you are facing this situation, speaking with a nursing license defense lawyer as soon as possible can make a significant difference in how things turn out.
At Remington & Dixon, PLLC, Brandon Remington focuses his practice on defending professionals whose licenses are under threat. He understands how the Board evaluates criminal matters and how to present your case in the most favorable light.
What the North Carolina Board of Nursing Looks for After a Criminal Conviction
The Board’s disciplinary authority comes from N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-171.37, which allows it to revoke, suspend, or place conditions on a nursing license when a nurse has been convicted of a crime. The statute does not limit its reach to felonies. Misdemeanor convictions can also trigger an investigation.
Nurses in North Carolina are generally expected to self-report certain criminal charges and convictions to the Board within a set timeframe. Failing to report can result in discipline that is separate from, and in addition to, whatever the Board decides to do about the underlying criminal matter.
When the Board reviews a charge or conviction, it does not simply look at whether you were found guilty. Investigators typically consider the nature of the offense, whether it relates to your nursing duties, your history as a license holder and any prior disciplinary record, evidence of rehabilitation, and statements from employers, supervisors or colleagues.
Can You Lose Your Nursing License for a Misdemeanor in Charlotte, NC?
Yes, it is possible. A misdemeanor conviction does not automatically end your nursing career, but it can set the Board’s disciplinary process in motion. Whether your license is actually at risk depends heavily on the specific offense and the circumstances surrounding it.
Some misdemeanors raise immediate concerns for the Board. Drug possession charges, even for small amounts, draw scrutiny because they suggest a potential substance use issue that could affect patient safety. Assault or battery convictions are viewed as a direct threat to the patients you serve. A DWI or DUI may raise questions about your judgment and decision-making off duty.
On the other hand, a low-level misdemeanor that has no bearing on your nursing practice, combined with a clean professional record and a genuine showing of accountability, may result in little or no action from the Board. Cases are evaluated individually, and the outcome often depends on how the situation is presented.
The critical mistake many nurses make is assuming a misdemeanor is too minor for the Board to care about. Even if the criminal court imposes minimal penalties, the Board operates under its own standards and can impose discipline independently of what happens in criminal court.
Can You Lose Your Nursing License for a Felony in North Carolina?
A felony conviction creates a more serious threat to your nursing license. The Board takes felonies seriously regardless of how much time has passed since the conviction. That said, a felony does not automatically mean your license is gone. The Board retains discretion, and nurses have successfully defended their licenses even in the face of serious criminal convictions.
The type of felony matters. A drug trafficking conviction or a felony involving fraud in a healthcare setting will be treated very differently from a conviction that is unrelated to your professional duties. The Board will examine whether the offense involved patients, whether it involved a breach of professional trust, and whether you have taken meaningful steps toward rehabilitation.
Pending felony charges also present a problem. Even before a case is resolved, the Board may open an investigation and potentially seek to take emergency action against your license if it believes there is a risk to public safety.
Whether you were convicted years ago or are currently facing charges, you should not wait to get legal representation. The earlier you involve a professional license defense attorney, the more options you have.
How Remington & Dixon, PLLC Defends Nursing Licenses in North Carolina
When our team takes on a nursing license defense matter, we work to understand everything about the situation before the Board does. That means reviewing the criminal matter in detail, identifying mitigating factors, and building a record that shows the Board you are fit to continue practicing.
Depending on the circumstances, a defense strategy might involve presenting character and professional references, documenting treatment or counseling if substance use is a concern, negotiating for a consent order rather than a revocation, or challenging the Board’s findings at an administrative hearing.
The Board has to follow North Carolina’s Administrative Procedure Act when conducting disciplinary proceedings, and procedural protections are available to license holders who understand how to use them.
Protect Your Nursing License with Aggressive License Defense in Charlotte
If you are a nurse in North Carolina facing a criminal charge or conviction, your license and your livelihood may be at stake. The time to act is now, not after the Board has already made a decision.
Our team at Remington & Dixon, PLLC offers consultations for professionals facing license investigations. Call today to discuss your situation and learn what can be done to protect your career. We have helped those in the 28207 zip code and surrounding communities in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union County, as well as throughout all of North Carolina. Contact Remington & Dixon, PLLC, to schedule your confidential consultation.
