Should I Retire my License?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Nurse Beth,

Hello, I had just changed jobs to work as a Housing monitor for the salvation army due to vision loss from optic nerve damage (glaucoma) and it was impairing me greatly giving medications on my regular job at a LTC facility which failed major to provide me with another office job or something else with my numerous requests for it... I worked at this nursing home nearly 6 years. This LTC facility is having major staffing problems also. So stress levels are very high there.


My question is....being it's a non-medical facility (Salvation army) I am presently working at and I don't have intentions of returning to the medical nursing world anytime soon my question is.......should I keep my license active" or can I put it on hold.?...and how liable am I being they (the management know I am a nurse) and if something happens there where do the limitations come in? They are very laid back there and all the residents are very independent until placement for a job or a new home is found for them. I just want to know if I should terminate my license now that I am not working as a nurse anymore , even my ? I was going to call the State board of nursing in Virginia and my insurance provider on these matters but I wanted to touch base with you first to get some opinions...thanks so much for your time in my situation.

Dear Concerned,

I'm sorry to hear about your vision problem, and glad you've found a role as a housing monitor. I hope it's less stress and I'm guessing it is.

The issue is working below your licensure. The risk of liability is low because you won't be confronted with nursing tasks in a non-medical facility. If a medical situation arises, know the facility's policy and procedure and follow it.

I think contacting your insurance provider and the BON is an excellent idea.

Deciding to retire your license is a personal decision. You could consider requesting an inactive status.

"A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who holds a current, unrestricted license in Virginia may, upon a request on the renewal application and submission of the required fee, be issued an inactive license. The holder of an inactive license shall not be entitled to practice nursing in Virginia or practice on a multistate licensure privilege but may use the title "registered nurse" or "licensed practical nurse." from Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC-19-180.

If you let your license lapse, Virginia allows for reinstatement. You would need to complete continuing education requirements, undergo a background check and pay a fee.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes in your decision,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

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Specializes in Geriatric/Sub Acute, Home Care.

Thank you so much Nurse Beth....Been a long hard road for me since moving to Virginia in 2013 from NJ(my homestate) but you certainly helped me greatly with this decision. finances are tight now and I will decide on what to do after I get a response also from the State Board of Nursing in Virginia here. Thank you again...and Have a Blessed, Happy, healthy prosperous New Year!!! Gratefully...Sandra J Lind RN

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