How to File a Complaint against BON

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Out of curiosity, has anyone ever filed a complaint against the board of nursing or is there a way to file a complaint and with who would you file a complaint?

I am honestly curious about the paperwork from your workplace also.?? I have never had to have anything from work to renew my license.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

To OP - could you have had a change of address or name change that might have contributed to some kind of snafu?

Any chance you were practicing nursing without a valid license? That would get you into more deep trouble than you may expect.

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

The only letter from an employer needed in my state is to renew CHHA as they cannot work independently and must work under the direction of an RN in an agency setting. Leave the job = CHHA is suspended until employed again

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To OP - could you have had a change of address or name change that might have contributed to some kind of snafu?

Any chance you were practicing nursing without a valid license? That would get you into more deep trouble than you may expect.

This is what I was wondering as well. I know with the military moves we had, I had some general mail issues. I wonder if they did try to notify you somehow and it got misdirected?

Also, I would be really worried about the months I spent practicing, now knowing the license had been suspended during that time.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

You want to file a complaint AGAINST the BON because they've been "rude" to you? Is this for real? You've even spoken to an attorney about this? You can't be serious.

I have spoken to a lawyer. She is backed up with similar cases. I mostly just want to be able to file a complaint. They are very rude, for example, just hanging up when they don't know how to answer your question. Well after I asked if there was someone else there that could answer my question. I was asking for honest help and was not being rude.
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yes, me three wondering about what paperwork the ex employer has to provide.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
O, it's much worse than that. It was just a small example of my most recent interaction with them. My last workplace is refusing to file the paperwork for my license renewal, so the board suspended my license without informing me. Now they will not give it back until this place fills it out and will not even send them a letter to inform them it's required and legally the workplace should do this. I had to go to a nursing program similar to this site to inform me of a lawyer to contact since the board just said it's my problem not there's and hung up. I found out my license was suspended due to a job I applied for calling and informing me I didn't even have a license. Pretty sure they legally have to inform you when they take your license. They took it 4 months ago and I had no clue. I've been a nurse for years and have never had a problem with the renewal process.

Much of this doesn't make sense; why is your workplace filing paperwork for your license renewal? More importantly, you've made it pretty clear that your license wasn't suspended during it's active period, it wasn't renewed. The responsibility is on you to confirm your license renewal has gone through.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

WHY would it be your employer's responsibility to submit paperwork for YOUR license renewal? I've never asked an employer ever to do this on my behalf. You won't like this, but you sound like there is an excuse for everything and nothing is your fault...

O, it's much worse than that. It was just a small example of my most recent interaction with them. My last workplace is refusing to file the paperwork for my license renewal, so the board suspended my license without informing me. Now they will not give it back until this place fills it out and will not even send them a letter to inform them it's required and legally the workplace should do this. I had to go to a nursing program similar to this site to inform me of a lawyer to contact since the board just said it's my problem not there's and hung up. I found out my license was suspended due to a job I applied for calling and informing me I didn't even have a license. Pretty sure they legally have to inform you when they take your license. They took it 4 months ago and I had no clue. I've been a nurse for years and have never had a problem with the renewal process.
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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Perform internet search:

State + " how to file a complaint against professional board"

File a Complaint - PA .gov - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of State receives complaints concerning the licensees and registrants of the following 29 professional and occupational licensing boards & commissions regulated by the Department's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

If you believe the practice or the service provided by a licensee or registrant of the above-named boards or commissions to be unethical, immoral, below an acceptable standard of practice or out of the scope of the profession, you are urged to file a Statement of Complaint Form with the Department of State.

Please note the following guidelines before completing and submitting the Statement of Complaint Form:

  • The Department will not involve itself in a monetary dispute unless it involves an allegation that services were billed for, but were not rendered -- or if there is evidence of other billing or insurance fraud.
  • The Department cannot act as a court of law to impose prison sentences or to order a person to make monetary restitution. This can only be achieved through the services of an attorney in a civil or criminal court proceeding.
  • Decisions about whether or not to prosecute cases are constrained by the applicable licensing laws, rules and regulations, which set forth specifically enumerated offenses for which the licensing boards and commissions may impose discipline on a licensee. If offensive conduct or activity does not fit within any specifically enumerated offense, disciplinary action cannot be filed against the licensee because the activity is not within the applicable board or commission's jurisdiction.
  • If you file a complaint, you may be required to attend a formal hearing and provide testimony in support of your complaint should a decision be made to file formal charges against a licensee.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

I have held licenses in many states and It has always been my responsibility to renew it. I have never heard of an employer having anything to do with license renewal. Can you tell us what state this occurred in? And what documents exactly is the previous employer supposed to complete?

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The bon's are out control.

Lindarn, rn, bsn, ccrn,(ret)

somewhere in the pacnw

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OP:Where I live, the only paperwork the employer has to file is to verify the number of hours worked since the last license renewal. Is that what you need? If so, try to go to the Human Resources department of your old employer. The administrative/secretarial staff at HR should be able to provide you with that documentation without going through your old manager, etc. Good luck.

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