License at Risk? Put up or shut up,,,

[Jedrnurse]

After reading yet another statement about "your license is at risk" (usually due to poor staffing) I'm curious about the reality, not the scare tactics.

How many people have actually had their licenses threatened (by Board actions, not patient/family mouthing off) due to unsafe work conditions?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Duplicate threads merged.

I liked the header of the other thread better.

[JKL33]

Thank you for contributing again, then!

No problem.

What should be done about this troubling issue?

I wonder if this is something that is bantered about by nursing instructors - or why do so many people feel threatened?

Personally I think the more realistic concern is that of the other types of shenanigans I mentioned previously.

So far, abiding by the principle of doing what's best for my patient (in consultation with peers, physician, supervisor on duty if necessary) seems to be working. I figure if someone doesn't like my decision I have at least acted in a manner that is "defensible." Have never refused to do anything based on the idea of concern for my license, but I've refused to do something here and there over the years based on my own understanding of safety, ethics, or legality.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

When I was in nursing school, they didn't bring up losing your license, your job, or lawsuits as a regular thing. We were aware that could happen, but our instructors repeated "and what would you tell the family if that happened?" It really brought the responsibility home, and who should be uppermost in our mind. I wish they still did that.