License revocation

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Based on your experience, what are some of the things that you have seen or heard in the field that resulted in someone losing his or her license?

Helping yourself to narcotics gets a suspension

You pretty much have to be caught stealing, assaulting, or killing a patient in my area.

Got ask what's got you asking? What have you done?

you can go online to your state board of nursing and find out exactly what people did to lose theirs in the last year.

enjoy your homework!

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

-theft of narcotics

-use of illegal drugs

-substance abuse/addiction (whether substance is 'legal' like Rx painkillers with a valid prescription or alcohol or illegal)

-patient abuse/neglect

-homicide/mercy killings

-fraudulent applications (lying about background, criminal convictions)

-crimes of moral turpitude (depending on state, including making/distributing 'adult videos')

-elder/child/domestic abuse

-rendering care that does not meet minimum standards, especially if patient death ensues

There are two basic causes for license revocation; the first being a significant breach of care resulting in patient harm and the second, and more common, not following the corrective plan of the Board from a previous infraction or repeated offenses.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Teh vast majority of license suspensions in my area are due to DUI, drug abuse, or diversion. One nurse lost her license because of an insurance fraud conviction.

Basically, i haven't done anything wrong but i'd like to know what to avoid out there...

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Basically, i haven't done anything wrong but i'd like to know what to avoid out there...

Then, as GrnTea suggested, go to your state's BON website, look up the disciplinary hearings, and see for yourself. It's really rather eye-opening to see what activities (or lack thereof) can result in discipline on your license.

As stupid as it seems, I've been seeing a lot of people having their licenses suspended for not getting their continuing education hours. It blows my mind because you first get the chance to make up the hours you missed (usually accompanied by a fee).

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

One caveat about checking actions listed by your Board of Nursing: Some states are so vague about the circumstances that it is often difficult to know exactly what happened. For instance, in my state failure to complete the required CEUs during the renewal period is listed under the "unprofessional conduct" section of the Nurse Practice Act. To me, unprofessional conduct implies an overt action taken while on duty, toward either a patient, doctor, supervisor or coworker, but it may be none of the above.

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