Nurses in our state are regulated by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, which has the power to investigate allegations of misconduct. Any investigation should raise alarm bells. The Board has the power to discipline nurses, including revoking a license, so the Board’s decision to launch an investigation can spell trouble for a nurse.
You worked hard to get your nursing license, and a simple mistake shouldn’t endanger your ability to earn a living. Call Remington & Dixon, PLLC to speak with a nursing license defense attorney.
How Can a Nurse Lose Their License?
The Board can start an investigation whenever it receives information that a nurse has committed misconduct. The Board might revoke or suspend a North Carolina nursing license for several reasons.
If you have ever wondered, “How can a nurse lose her license?” read on. The following are grounds under the Nursing Practice Act to revoke a license.
Giving False Information to the Board to Obtain a License
A nurse might have lied or made a material omission when seeking a license. If the Board finds out about this fact, they can open an investigation. For example, a nurse might have lied and said she had no criminal convictions when she initially applied. Or she failed to disclose her former name in an attempt to hide prior criminal conduct.
Conviction for Certain Crimes
A revocation of a nursing license is possible if a nurse commits or pleads guilty to crimes. The crime is one that indicates the nurse is incompetent or unfit, or that the nurse has defrauded the public.
Felony convictions are big ones. Any drug conviction could endanger a nursing license. Call our law firm to discuss if you were arrested for a felony or other crime. We need to drill down into the facts and analyze the impact on your license.
Disabilities or Drug Use
The Board might revoke a nursing license if a nurse has a disability that interferes with their fitness to practice nursing. These disabilities could be physical, such as after a stroke, or mental. A mental illness could lead to a revocation, depending on whether the nurse is receiving treatment.
Drug use is also considered if it interferes with your ability to practice nursing. The Board might suspect you have a substance abuse problem if you are arrested for driving while impaired, for example.
Unfitness or Incompetence
A nurse must have a minimum level of competency to practice in the state. Nurses who make mistakes can have their license revoked.
For example, a nurse might have given a patient the wrong medication, leading to a negative health outcome. The Board will likely investigate.
This is tricky because nurses do not need to be perfect to keep a license in North Carolina. However, the Board will certainly investigate and look to see if the error was more than a simple mistake. You should certainly consult an attorney if you have questions about malpractice and its impact on your license.
Deception Which Harms the Public
Honesty and integrity are central to the nursing profession. A nurse who engages in fraudulent or deceptive conduct during professional activities or service can have her license revoked. Common examples include falsifying patient records or making other misrepresentations with patient data. Some nurses lie to cover up their tracks after making a mistake, which simply compounds the initial error.
Other Violations
The Board can also launch an investigation and ultimately revoke a nurse’s license for any willful violation of the Board’s rules. Nurses should stay on top of requirements set by the Board and ensure compliance.
Take All Complaints Seriously
Although revocation is probably the worst outcome, any investigation deserves a legal response. You might end up keeping your license, but a complaint will remain on your record. It is critical to respond to any accusation of misconduct.
A nurse’s reputation is almost as important as her license when it comes to future jobs. By responding to complaints with the facts, you can clear your name and maintain your employability moving forward.
Hire the Right Defense Lawyer
Usually, these cases begin with a complaint to the Board about a nurse. This complaint could come from anyone, but patients and coworkers are common sources. A nurse might not know they are being investigated until they receive a Letter of Charges or an investigator reaches out to talk.
We strongly recommend that your first call should be to a lawyer after you become aware of a Board investigation. The investigator doesn’t represent you, and you do not want to slip up and say something you shouldn’t.
Nurses have rights, including the right to an attorney. If you ultimately choose to talk with an investigator, you should have a lawyer present. Do not reach out to the Board or meet with their investigator on your own.
Ideally, you should hire an attorney with experience in defending nurses before the Board. This is not the time to hire someone inexperienced or a general criminal defense attorney.
Speak with a North Carolina Nursing License Defense Lawyer
Brandon Remington has established his reputation defending licensed professionals in disciplinary proceedings. He knows how these regulatory bodies operate and what arguments are most effective. For immediate assistance with your case, contact our office to schedule a meeting.
