Will I lose my license?

caliotter3 · Feb 16, 2015

No accusations, no reason to be concerned. As far as they were concerned, getting rid of you was their answer to any perceived problem. Highly doubt that they would have contacted the Board about you if you weren't informed of anything you may, or may not have, done wrong. Concentrate on getting a new job. Good luck.

Rbeck911, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2015

I would paper chart. Protect yourself.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

Hopefully there is some documentation somewhere.. I would contact your malpractice insurance if you have it..

Rbeck911, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

Agreed ^. I am confused as to how you didn't chart for two weeks on anyone.... As a nurse, you are responsible for charting in real time (rule of thumb is at least same day). If you weren't able to chart, you shouldn't have seen patients. Were you trained on the system and didn't understand it? If this is the case, you should have spoken up and said something. If they didn't train you on the system prior to seeing patients, then that is a failure on their end. Was this your first nursing gig? I wouldn't worry about losing my license if there was no indication that they were calling the board. However, if there is information you aren't divulging here, include it so that we may give you honest advice. Were you termed or did you resign? Terms usually get forwarded to the state automatically if it was patient care related.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

The "losing my nursing license" mantra is immensely blown out of proportion. Statistically, most nurses who have had their licensure revoked were involved with drug diversion, theft, impaired nursing practice, failure to complete mandated impaired nurse peer programs, or other issues revolving around addiction.

In addition, losing a license is very difficult. Someone must first refer your license number to your state's board of nursing, then investigators at the BON must review the 'facts' and deem the complaint worthy enough to investigate. Virtually no nurse loses a nursing license over one complaint.

Rbeck911, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2015

The "losing my nursing license" mantra is immensely blown out of proportion. Statistically, most nurses who have had their licensure revoked were involved with drug diversion, theft, impaired nursing practice, failure to complete mandated impaired nurse peer programs, or other issues revolving around addiction.
In addition, losing a license is very difficult. Someone must first refer your license number to your state's board of nursing, then investigators at the BON must review the 'facts' and deem the complaint worthy enough to investigate. Virtually no nurse loses a nursing license over one complaint.

Commuter is right. A lot of it depends on the state too, though. In Indiana, for example, if you are termed for a patient care issue, or sometimes even things like time management, charting issues, you are required to do a 1 on 1 personal appearance with a board member. Typically, the nurse just explains the situation and there is no issue. Other times, they suspend until continuing education courses are taken within a certain time frame.

Look up your state board of nursing and refer to the minutes from past meetings and try to find a situation similar to yours and see what the punishment was, if any.

leraye6 · Feb 18, 2015

Thanks everyone for responding. They asked another LVN to train me which was only about four days. The following week..I was on my own. I went to the DON and asked for more training because I wasn't taught the charting system on the computer. All I had was a login. She said she didn't think going back to orientation mode was best. I asked to be switched to another shift at a slower pace to have time to learn and chart. She also refused that. I didn't feel comfortable on my own because of the charting..time management and so much more. I felt my license was in danger so gave my notice. She told me not to come back and that it wouldn't benefit her if I stayed until she could replace me. I even offered to come back and learn the system and complete my charting. She said no...

Just didn't wanna get in trouble

LessValuableNinja · Feb 18, 2015

What state?

leraye6 · Feb 18, 2015

Texas...

LessValuableNinja · Feb 18, 2015

The Texas BON has a provision called "Safe Harbor." Basically, it's intended to protect nurses when they believe they are assigned patients that they may be unable to care for safely. Examples may be if someone calls in sick and they tell you that you are going to have to be the primary nurse for 12 high acuity patients. Certainly, you'd be concerned.

Did you take the nursing jurisprudence education/exam? I thought it was required for all nurses. It goes into detail on safe harbor.

Basically, the correct way according to the training to approach the situation would be to say to your supervisor, "I'm happy to do everything I can, but feel I haven't been properly trained on procedures and the systems used for patient care. Could you please get the safe harbor form so we can both sign it to protect both of us and our licenses? Thanks so much."

Go to Texas Board of Nursing - Nursing Practice FAQ and click on "safe harbor peer review"

Also see:

https://www.bon.state.tx.us/forms_safe_harbor.asp

https://www.bon.state.tx.us/practice_peer_review.asp

https://allnurses.com/texas-nursing/nursing-safe-harbor-891208.html

http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=T&app=9&p_dir=F&p_rloc=154668&p_tloc=14677&p_ploc=1&pg=2&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=11&ch=217&rl=20

license from board action as well as has nursing peers in the same practice setting review the requested assignment. Nursing Peer Review of the Board's website contains safe harbor forms, a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ), and the peer review rules. Nursing associations that represent Licensed Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses may also have information about Safe Harbor Peer Review for their members and other nurses.The BON has no authority over employment issues, but a nurse does have civil recourse in matters where the nurse's decision to invoke Safe Harbor was made in good faith, but negative employment action occurred as a result of the nurse's request. A nurse also has whistleblower protections when the nurse reports a facility, physician, or other entity for violations of laws relating to patient care and or illegal acts, such as fraud, see Nursing Practice Act, Section 301.4025 and Section 303.005 and Texas Administrative Code, Rule Â§217.20 Safe Harbor Peer Review for Nurses and Whistleblower Protections. You may wish to also seek your own legal counsel for advice. The BON cannot provide legal advice, and has no authority in civil matters.

caliotter3 · Feb 18, 2015

If you were to call your former employer to ask if they have reported you to the Board, you would be providing an idea that they might decide is worth acting upon. Best to put this behind you and move on.