can I lose my nursing license

Specialties Home Health

Published

I have been a home health nurse for 12 years. Recently I was working in an enviroment that was uncomfortable. A month ago the boyfriend of the mother of the baby I take care of was a victim of physical abuse. The mom promised that she wouldn't ever let him come back. This did not last, last Friday he was drunk and abusive again just not physically so now I told the mom I don't feel safe there and can no longer work for her. Can I lose my nursing license over this?

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Specializes in future speciality interest: Nurse Midwif.

No you won't lose your license. Saftey first. From what you wrote there was offense that would cause you to lose your license.

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Why are you talking with the mom about your safety, you should be talking with your employer.

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Any questions about your license status can best be answered by your Board of Nursing. I didn't read anything in your post that indicated you did anything for which you need worry. Home care nurses leave cases all the time and nothing ever comes out of it other than various periods of unemployment for the nurse who leaves the case. A new nurse gets the case and you may, or more likely may not, get a new case.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Check also about mandated reporting of abuse. You can lose your license for failing to report abuse. I don't know if it applies strictly to your patient or the mom as well.

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Specializes in Pedi.

The boyfriend of the mother of the baby was a "victim" of abuse or the boyfriend was the perpetrator? If you suspect that the boyfriend abused the baby in any way, you are obligated by law to report that and you can lose your license for failing to do so. But simply leaving a case? No, you can't lose your license for that. Better to report any suspicions of abuse of the baby and let CPS deal with it than to do nothing though.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

CPS needs to be notified re physical abuse of maternal parent so they can evaluate situation. RN's in all states are mandated reporters. Please discuss this situation with your nursing supervisor as having employees in home with abuse a staff SAFETY issue. We won't place staff in home until cleared by protective services + home is early visit.

You can seek advice from The National Domestic Violence Hotline | 24/7 Confidential

or Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect - Child for your states regulations and contact info.

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Did you call cps? That would cover you as you are legally as a caregiver to do so and have violated the nurse practice act to not report.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

You need to outline your concerns with the agency. Your safety in the home should be a priority for you. If there is abuse occurring you are a mandated reporter. Knowledge of abuse and failure to report could put your license at risk.

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