Nursing Discipline- Board of Nursing

I've read that it is considered wise to have legal counsel accompany one when summoned before the Board. That is supposed to be what that clause in your malpractice insurance is for. I certainly wouldn't go before the Board without my attorney tagging along.

I second that. The BON is NOT the nurses' friend. They're out to protect the public first and foremost; the nurse's interests are considered second if considered at all.

You could be as innocent as a newborn baby, and I'd still tell you to take an attorney with you if you have to stand in front of the BON.

Best of luck with this.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the complaint won't be so anonymous once you get there. You have a right to know who is accusing you and of what...it's the only way you can defend yourself.

The Board is also going to look at why it took so long for someone to come forward.

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys can provide you with information on those attorneys who specialize in malpractice to represent you and protect your rights before board of nursing.

No, taking an attorney would show the Board that you are not about to be pushed out of your livelihood so easily. Look around on this website and you can find instances of people posting that they wished they had an attorney with them when they went before the Board. Go to the nso dot com website and read the case reports presented there. Why won't they tell you what the problems are if there is nothing to it? There is nothing from the Board that is a small matter. The only legal advice we can give here is to advise you to seek the help of an attorney. Check with your local Bar Association, (in the yellow pages), and get hooked up with their Modest Means Panel. The initial visit should cost $20 or $25. TAANA might be able to provide an attorney who will assist within your means to pay. Use the legal benefits from your malpractice insurance; as stated before, that is what that coverage is for. Good luck.

Agreed. If the BON is actively getting involved, then it's not "nothing." And the fact that it's informal doesn't mean that lawyers aren't welcome.

Yes, having to pay for an attorney can suck especially when you don't have the money to spare for it. But having disciplinary actions on or possibly losing your license sucks even more because your future career and income are affected.

Again, good luck whatever you decide.

I've had the displeasure of dealing with the BON in this capacity. I found them to be very professional and concerned about my well being as well as doing what they needed to to ensure that I was safe to practice. Maybe I just got lucky, but it didn't seem like they were out to "get" me. And if the complaint is two years old, I can't imagine that it would be THAT serious, or they would have gotten to it a little sooner.