Oh no! Prohibited to Practice Letter

roser13, ASN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

Perhaps you could explain why you received this letter? What's the issue?

However, without having any idea why you received the letter, the phrase PROHIBITED FROM PRACTICING seems clear.

MunoRN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

Have you ever had a license to practice nursing? It's sounds as though you haven't, which means you can't practice independently as a nurse.

caliotter3 · Feb 19, 2017

Ask your employer if you can have a 'leave of absence' status while getting this straightened out. You can always resign, or they can terminate your employment later if this does not resolve favorably.

Scottishtape · Feb 19, 2017

Yeah.... if the BON tells me I'm prohibited from practicing, you won't find my butt on the floor until that's worked out.

Better to have patience now, then screw yourself in the future for practicing without a license.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

Call off for the morning. Call the board Monday when the phones go live.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

Did you fail the NCLEX? If you were granted a temporary GN licensure and then failed the NCLEX, that licensure would be revoked.

If there is is no reason for this prohibition explained in the letter, you need to first figure out why you received it by calling the BON. If you're sure it's some kind of misunderstanding, I would still go to work, but bring the letter and immediately discuss it with the charge nurse or nursing supervisor on call. They may allow you to just stay and observe, do online learning, etc. so you aren't practicing but you don't get penalized for missing an orientation day.

Jules A, MSN · Feb 19, 2017

I agree if there isn't anything you can think of that would prohibit you from practicing like failing NCLEX or a criminal history I would recommend bringing the letter to work Monday and discuss with my employer rather than trying to dodge it or appear unprofessional by calling out on orientation. Hopefully you will be able to observe until you can get in touch with the BON and get it straightened out.

Libby1987 · Feb 19, 2017

The shift is covered either way by the preceptor?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

If you have RN on your badge, do not clock in with it while this is going on. You do not want to spend one minute on the clock as an RN if the board of nursing says otherwise. Your employer cannot override the board. If they try to, get it in writing (I can assure you they won't do that), not that it'll help one bit. But they can issue you another badge with an alternate title while keeping the same wages if they choose to. Just show up on time as you normally would. If your employer won't make the title change, all it would take is for word to leak out to that one co-worker willing to make that phone call to the board and you're charged with impersonating a nurse.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. But for now and until this is cleared up, get everything in writing. You're in a precarious situation. Your documentation (such as the letter you received) will be your supporting documentation to guide your actions and possibly your saving grace. Good luck with this!!

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

I would not go to work on a Sunday waving a letter that told me not to practice.

I would rather take the hit of a call off gossip than advertising the do not practice letter to regular staff.

This needs to be presented to the right level of management which is unlikely to be there on Sunday morning.

I can't imagine how complicated this may or may not be but I think trying to 'work' even as an observer is not a good move.

TriciaJ, RN · Feb 19, 2017

Hopefully you have already informed your employer of the letter you have received so that neither of you is breaking the law and you aren't leaving them in the dark. Then it's up to your employer to decide how to handle this until you can get more information from the BON. But they will not let you practice as a nurse, nor should you be willing to.