Let me start by saying that I am not asking this because I am worried about losing mine.
What offenses can lead to loss of a license? The reason I ask is that many people post on here "I did XYZ and now I am worried about being reported to the BON and losing (or, many times 'loosing' ) my license." I know this can vary state by state. Diverting narcs is, I would imagine, an offense that can cost you your license in most states. But, I have read posts where XYZ includes med errors, no calls/no shows, talking bad about their NM, etc, etc.
Just wanted to help try and set the record straight for some people.
As others have mentioned, every state allows you to see actions on licenses. In my state, a lot of the revocations/probations are due to diversion and not paying back student loans.
Trying to "fix" mistakes you made by going back and creating false charting. Also, pre-charting assessment or meds. Or lying on your application to the state board, telling them you have no criminal history when you do (eg, thinking that an old incident that resulted in a "suspended sentence" with the case being dropped means you don't have to report it). But by faaaar the #1 reason for disciplinary action is substance abuse (usually narcs or ETOH) and the diversion of narcs that often accompanies that.
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
There are, unfortunately, many nurses who steal narcs and still have a license. I think one sure way is to abandon your patients....throwing the keys at your manger and walking out the door.
It takes some work to lose a license :) The constant appearance of these threads tells me y'all were browbeaten with the idea that the BON is swarming around with a pitchfork, waiting to stab your license and burn it in a cauldron....
It has to be intentional harm, lack of performing tasks you know you should do- usually repeatedly, Repeated drug use (BONs have departments for addicts/alcoholics/mentally ill to participate in so they DON'T lose their license), selling/dealing/diverting drugs (the diversion is repeated offenses- the first one is usually offered rehab)....the previous reply abut murder, intimate contact, beating up the patient- those aren't good....the BON frowns on that- though it took TX several months to declare Andrea Yates stripped of her license (but she was in prison, so not a big risk).
There are omission and commission actions that can get you stripped of your license, but the scope is far beyond a "typical" mistake. For repeated medication errors, you might get fired, but unless you're popping the digoxin, K-dur, and Inderal yourself, probably not a call to the BON.
Perform within your scope of practice, and you have no problem:) However, many states have a clause/section about knowing about an impaired nurse, and not reporting them to the board....if you withhold info re: someone else's addiction or dangerous behavior, and it's shown you knew about it (helped throw the body down the laundry chute)- you're toast.
We had an assignment last week which was to go to the state board's website and look up people's offenses. I would start there if I were you.
Well, I don't really care that much...my point was a "simple" med error won't lead to loss of license, and that there seems to be a lot of 'urban legends' about what can cause the BON to act (or care...).
people need to believe , that a 'SIMPLE COMPLAINT is going to lead to loss of license.
I ve seen nurses lose license for sending a patient to rehab 4 hours after f/c was removed
advocating for a patient, calling the police on a stalker, reporting relatives for elder abuse, soon to be ex filing false charges, anonymous complaint , led to full linvestigation. starring blankly , while working night shift, and last but not least pt complained a nurse gave him pain meds while he was asleep !!
I reported one nurse who's pacu charting was a lawyers dream , he stole dilaudid he wrote he gave me, (he had already been reported for dating a former psych pt, and guess what HE HAS HIS LICENSE ! go figure. Too mush work and too little compensation to put up with the nonsense !
) my license." I know this can vary state by state. Diverting narcs is, I would imagine, an offense that can cost you your license in most states. But, I have read posts where XYZ includes med errors, no calls/no shows, talking bad about their NM, etc, etc.
dudette10, MSN, RN
3,530 Posts
As others have mentioned, every state allows you to see actions on licenses. In my state, a lot of the revocations/probations are due to diversion and not paying back student loans.