Moral character

Published

Some states require the submission of a 'declaration of good moral character/turpitude' form for licensing/practicing and I was curious if Tennessee has such a requirement?

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Specializes in NICU.

Why? Do you not have a good moral character?

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Actually I do, but I am preparing to submit a complaint against someone working in Tennessee that I feel does NOT have good moral character and shouldn't be working with patients. I'm sure you don't know anyone like that, but unfortunately, they exist and if that person were to transmit a communicable disease which they are desperate to hide from their employer, well, I would feel terrible for not reporting it. Sorry f you don't agree...

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Actually I do, but I am preparing to submit a complaint against someone working in Tennessee that I feel does NOT have good moral character and shouldn't be working with patients. I'm sure you don't know anyone like that, but unfortunately, they exist and if that person were to transmit a communicable disease which they are desperate to hide from their employer, well, I would feel terrible for not reporting it. Sorry f you don't agree...

I read your post with interest - Having a communicable disease does not preclude someone from Nursing practice. As long as they are using reasonable (Universal precautions) when caring for patients. There are lot's of nurses out there with HIV, Hep C etc... who continue to safely practice w/o harm to their patients. In some cases these nurses are considered part of a protected class under the American's with disabilities act and cannot be fired or removed from practice unless it can be proven that they are providing blatantly unsafe care.

Since you don't say what communicable disease is involved and what about their practice is a crime of moral turpitude I can't really say how all this could shake out.

As to your question, simply google the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act and read it. You will find your answer there.

Hppy

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I read your post with interest - Having a communicable disease does not preclude someone from Nursing practice. As long as they are using reasonable (Universal precautions) when caring for patients. There are lot's of nurses out there with HIV, Hep C etc... who continue to safely practice w/o harm to their patients. In some cases these nurses are considered part of a protected class under the American's with disabilities act and cannot be fired or removed from practice unless it can be proven that they are providing blatantly unsafe care.

Since you don't say what communicable disease is involved and what about their practice is a crime of moral turpitude I can't really say how all this could shake out.

As to your question, simply google the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act and read it. You will find your answer there.

Hppy

Agree.

You didn't state what communicable disease, and you don't need to, but Hppy is correct; I would caution filing a complaint against someone who who has a communicable disease-you may find yourself in the hot seat.

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Thank you, this was a helpful and honest response, which I agree with completely. I also agree that a person who has a communicable disease & uses standard precautionary procedures should be protected from scrutiny or discrimination. I specifically did not say why I would approach the complaint as an issue of moral turpitude, rather than an issue of precautionary practice, because I don't believe this is the format for such a discussion. I also don't believe I am qualified to make that judgement, so I intend to communicate what I witnessed to people who CAN make that determination and defer to their qualified judgement. I can assure you that this is not a 'protected' individual because they are adamant about withholding the information from their employer and that only serves to make me very concerned about the ethics of this individual, specifically their ability to adhere to standard precautionary practices which might arouse suspicion in co-workers or superiors. I will say only that I thought what I saw with my own eyes was incredibly unprofessional and when I confronted the individual, their response was totally unsatisfactory. That is strictly my opinion, however, so I will defer to the judgement of those who know better than I and leave it at that. I could certainly be wrong... Thank you again for your honest input!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Thank you, this was a helpful and honest response, which I agree with completely. I also agree that a person who has a communicable disease & uses standard precautionary procedures should be protected from scrutiny or discrimination. I specifically did not say why I would approach the complaint as an issue of moral turpitude, rather than an issue of precautionary practice, because I don't believe this is the format for such a discussion. I also don't believe I am qualified to make that judgement, so I intend to communicate what I witnessed to people who CAN make that determination and defer to their qualified judgement. I can assure you that this is not a 'protected' individual because they are adamant about withholding the information from their employer and that only serves to make me very concerned about the ethics of this individual, specifically their ability to adhere to standard precautionary practices which might arouse suspicion in co-workers or superiors. I will say only that I thought what I saw with my own eyes was incredibly unprofessional and when I confronted the individual, their response was totally unsatisfactory. That is strictly my opinion, however, so I will defer to the judgement of those who know better than I and leave it at that. I could certainly be wrong... Thank you again for your honest input!

I don't think it is the employers business of medical problems of a worker. For you to be aware of this medical condition the person in question foolishly trusted you and must have thought of you as a friend. What a way to stab someone in the back and betray a friend. Like others have said one can still work with Hep c or HIV. Common sense and universal precautions are adequate. How would your friend's body fluids come into contact with the patients? How is a medical disease a failure of moral turpitude? I suggest you mind your own business!

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You seriously don't think the employer has the right to know that a healthcare worker has a medical condition that could adversely effect patients? That's just ignorant, so I'm going to ignore your suggestion. It must be a sensitive subject for you to respond with such venom! No matter. I think I have everything I need now to proceed with the complaint and feel good about it. I don't require your opinion or approval. I know it's the right thing to do.

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Specializes in Hospice.
You seriously don't think the employer has the right to know that a healthcare worker has a medical condition that could adversely effect patients? That's just ignorant, so I'm going to ignore your suggestion. It must be a sensitive subject for you to respond with such venom! No matter. I think I have everything I need now to proceed with the complaint and feel good about it. I don't require your opinion or approval. I know it's the right thing to do.

You obviously had your mind made up, expected everyone here to applaud your efforts to destroy someone's career, and when you didn't get the answers you wanted, you did an Olympic Flounce.

You never did answer the question "How does having a medical condition equal 'moral turpitude'"?

Unless the medical condition somehow offends YOUR definition of proper morality, perhaps? Then this crusade makes sense.

Doesn't make it right, though.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

OP, what state are you in?

I found a more definitive definition of moral turpitude on the Department of State's website; although this is in regards to immigrants, it at least lists what is considered moral turpitude in the eyes of the federal law; most states follow suit, and may add to it as they see fit.

http://www.cba.org/cba/cle/pdf/imm06_chang_app1.pdf

If this person has not been convicted of moral turpitude, then usually the BON will not act, at least in my state; I'll dig to find out if other states don't operate in that fashion; I can only speak to where I'm from.

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Specializes in Hospice.
OP, what state are you in?

I found a more definitive definition of moral turpitude on the Department of State's website; although this is in regards to immigrants, it at least lists what is considered moral turpitude in the eyes of the federal law; most states follow suit, and may add to it as they see fit.

http://www.cba.org/cba/cle/pdf/imm06_chang_app1.pdf

.

"Bastardy"?? Good grief. Do people still get upset over that?? [emoji33]

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Specializes in ICU.
You seriously don't think the employer has the right to know that a healthcare worker has a medical condition that could adversely effect patients? That's just ignorant, so I'm going to ignore your suggestion. It must be a sensitive subject for you to respond with such venom! No matter. I think I have everything I need now to proceed with the complaint and feel good about it. I don't require your opinion or approval. I know it's the right thing to do.

Not only do I not think my employer has the right to know my health history, I'm pretty sure it would be illegal for them to even ask. Beyond my annual TB test, I don't get asked anything unless I happen to experience a needlestick.

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