Being investigated by BON

Nurses Professionalism

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Hi, 

Im being investigated for something relating to pt care. I didn’t do a part of an assessment for pt that had a rapid response  on the shift before me. The pt was totally stable during my assessment and was downgraded to lower level of care. l have hired a lawyer but wondering if they usually take away licenses or put you on probation for these things. The physician was in the room and confirmed pt was stable as did the nurse giving report.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Do you have ?

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On 4/5/2021 at 12:56 PM, SmilingBluEyes said:

Do you have malpractice insurance?

yes, I do. 

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

only comes into play during lawsuits. It has nothing to do with BON investigations.

On the surface of it, I find it unlikely that your license will be revoked or suspended. Were something like that to happen in my state, for a first offense the board would likely issue a formal reprimand and require completion of a relevant training course.

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You might want to go to the NSO website for contact information and investigate their "license protection" coverage as part of a standard package.  For example: their site lists a $25,000 yearly aggregate benefit for legal representation before board disciplinary hearings (excluding appeals).  Call them up to discuss this.

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3 hours ago, Orca said:

malpractice insurance only comes into play during lawsuits. It has nothing to do with BON investigations.

On the surface of it, I find it unlikely that your license will be revoked or suspended. Were something like that to happen in my state, for a first offense the board would likely issue a formal reprimand and require completion of a relevant training course.

is a formal reprimand include something that is available publicly?

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

I'm not sure that I fully understand your question. Any actions taken by the BON are public record, and they are available for retrieval. We have considered nurses for employment who have had discipline by the BON either in our state or another, and we have been able to retrieve and review the full BON reports on the allegations and findings.

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

“malpractice insurance only comes into play during lawsuits. It has nothing to do with BON investigations.”

Not so. Your insurance also covers representation before a BON whether or not any litigation is involved. Everyone with any kind of patient care at any level should have it.

As to publicly available information, our state BON newsletter publishes every single one of their cases that results in warnings, suspensions, or limitations on practice. 

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On 4/14/2021 at 11:40 AM, Orca said:

I'm not sure that I fully understand your question. Any actions taken by the BON are public record, and they are available for retrieval. We have considered nurses for employment who have had discipline by the BON either in our state or another, and we have been able to retrieve and review the full BON reports on the allegations and findings.

That’s only if they thing you actually deserve some kind of reprimand. I am sure some cases get dismissed or are just an informal warning.

 

On 4/14/2021 at 11:40 AM, Orca said:

I'm not sure that I fully understand your question. Any actions taken by the BON are public record, and they are available for retrieval. We have considered nurses for employment who have had discipline by the BON either in our state or another, and we have been able to retrieve and review the full BON reports on the allegations and findings.

Where do you work? I am also trying to move in November with my husband to Arizona. Will arizona give me a license if I have an ongoing investigation in another state? Thank you!

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On 4/15/2021 at 12:35 PM, nurseinthecity11 said:

Where do you work? I am also trying to move in November with my husband to Arizona. Will arizona give me a license if I have an ongoing investigation in another state? Thank you!

I am in Nevada. 

I went to nursing school in Oklahoma. I had a classmate who had a felony conviction a number of years earlier. The BON allowed him to sit for the licensing exam, but they gave him a restricted license, a kiss of death for a new graduate. He applied for reciprocity in New Mexico, where he was given a clean license.

Whether Arizona gives you a license will depend upon their assessment of the severity of the allegations against you. They may also await the outcome of the investigation by your current board before deciding.

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