Effect of Public Reprimand on Current Job?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everyone,

I have recently dealt with the board of nursing over an issue with how an order was given (and how I interpereted it) and a charting violation. I recieved a public reprand which consists of taking classes and having the reprimand displayed publicly on the BON website. I am curious how this will affect my current employment as I will be telling my supervisor before it is found out by human resources. Has anyone else dealt with a public reprimand? How long did it affect your career?

Thanks in advance

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Isn't your place of employment already notified? Or was this from another facility?

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The events took place at a different hospital. I was let go as a preventative measure before it went to the board. The hospital held several meetings and decided it was not serious enough to report to the BON, but the issue was reported a few days later by an anonymous caller. I have searched the internet high and low and can find nothing regarding actions taken by employers in respect to public reprimands.

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I bet they won't even find out if you don't mention it, at least until a future, if ever, routine background check.

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When your license is verified, will there be any notations about this?

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Specializes in m/s,tele.

To my knowledge, hospitals and nursing homes do a check of their currently employed nurses every 2 years. They check for criminal background (arrests), BON actions, nursys, OIG, and the 2 national databases for healthcare practitioners. It looks better if you tell the current employer before they find it. Remember it was only a reprimand and we all learn from our errors. Good luck.

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@caliotter3 - As I understand it there annual checks on the status of licenses in most hospitals.

@xtxrn - Yes, this is a public reprimand. On the BON website, where the status of my license is displayed, there will be a description of the events that took place, a list of violations according to the nursing practice act, and details of my reprimand (more specifically the names of the classes I am required to take).

By the way, I suggest everyone obtain a copy of the Nursing Practice Act and read it thoroughly.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Wow that's a sticky spot to be in. I would be reluctant to share it with my current employer, but I don't know if there is a proper protocol and would they find out on their own if you didn't say anything.

Seems like the BON sends quarterly newsletters that are little more than gossip rags, making sure the big red letter A is seen by all! What constructive purpose is that, other than to intimidate and ostracize the people on the list. I suppose it's meant as a warning, make sure you don't do something wrong and end up on the list or else!

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And they can be SLOW to get things updated..... Andrea Yates (Houston mom who drowned her 5 kids) didn't get her RN license revoked per the BON newsletter until about a year after the trial.... :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
@caliotter3 - As I understand it there annual checks on the status of licenses in most hospitals.

@xtxrn - Yes, this is a public reprimand. On the BON website, where the status of my license is displayed, there will be a description of the events that took place, a list of violations according to the nursing practice act, and details of my reprimand (more specifically the names of the classes I am required to take).

By the way, I suggest everyone obtain a copy of the Nursing Practice Act and read it thoroughly.

I am so sorry you are going through this......:heartbeat

I have preached this here for years.......and I get pooh-poohed....ALOT! Ignorance will not save you w hits the when the $^!* hits the fan. I also suggest having malpraactice insurance as that would provide you with legal representation when good things good bad. The hospital will be the FIRST to dump you to save themselves.....as you found out. Interesting....I wonder who made the "anonymous call"...:cool:.

The "public flogging" I must admit is a bit over done in the drama department...but you can't fight city hall.....:rolleyes:.

I would seek legal advice if you have it....or seek it for this.....but I always believe honesty is the best policy...

Good Luck

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Sorry to say, it will show up on the BON website. I go on there occasionally to check that my licensing credentials are up to date, all you have to do is search the nursing database, type in your last name and it will show up. It's all public information.

However, it does take a long time for those actions to appear, usually the BON does not publish that information until the case has been resolved one way or another. At that time they will publish all relevant information.

My suggestion is that you prepare yourself to address it in an interview, explain what happened, what you learned from the mistake and make it clear to them the ways that you will make sure that it will never happen again.

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Definitely tell them! I just went through a situation exactly like yours in April. They will find out, whether it is from you, or the quarterly notification from the bon which is emailed to all facilities. It looks better coming from you, i promise! I told my manager what happened and that i didn't want her to feel there were trust issues. She was wonderful, and even offered to be a superior reference if i ever needed her. If she had found out herself, i don't think she would have been so open about it. Honesty is best when approaching your reprimand because they will find out, there is no hiding it from anyone in healthcare...

Good luck and keep your head up, cause you are going to have ups and downs.

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