Threat of revokation

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Feb 27, 2016

Going forward, never document something that you do not do. Document after you do it. Otherwise, it is false documentation.

I am not sure the probability of your license being revoked. I would contact your malpractice insurance.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2016

Good grief, now the general public is throwing around the "I'm going to get your license revoked" threat?

First, breathe. Then, pull up your state BON website, browse through the Disciplinary Action section and see what REALLY gets a license revoked.

You may get a verbal warning from work, they may look at your charting for awhile (doubtful, but possibly). Learn an important lesson from this: do the action, THEN document. We're all human, and even with the best of intentions, we can forget things, or get distracted.

Don't blow it off. It was a mistake, yes, but you aren't going to lose your license over it.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2016

If the family member files a complaint about your professional practice to your BON, you should contact your malpractice insurer or legal advisor before speaking to anyone else.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2016

Most family members do not know how to properly file complaints or refer a nurse's license number to the board of nursing. In addition, failing to notify a family member is not an offense that results in licensure revocation.

It seems as if this horrid family member is attempting to shake your core. And due to your lack of knowledge about licensing issues, it appears to be working.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2016

@commuter It isn't the failure to notify in and of itself that is the problem, it's that the OP falsely documentated that they did phone. A family member can phone the BON and they will be advised how to file a complaint or look on the BON website under 'How to file a complaint' for instructions.

I agree that it will not likely result in revocation of license, more likely remedial action.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2016

It isn't the failure to notify in and of itself that is the problem, it's that the OP falsely documentated that they did phone. A family member can phone the BON and they will be advised how to file a complaint or look on the BON website under 'How to file a complaint' for instructions.

Regardless, OP isn't going to lose her license over this. As I said before, browse through your state BON site to see the heinous stuff that will really get your license yanked.

This is a learning experience for OP. There may be some disciplinary action from her employer along the lines of "How are you going to avoid this in the future?" To which OP will reply "Never document any action before it's actually been done."

New (and newer) nurses sometimes get so panic stricken at the thought of losing their license that they are afraid to take ANY action, and become effectively paralyzed.

No one likes to make mistakes. Being human, we all do. Fortunately, most of us don't make the mistakes that have the potential to rob us of our livelihood.

Seriously, the BON has bigger fish to fry.

vbarger28, BSN · Feb 27, 2016

You will not lose your license over something like this. You may get a little 'hey be careful and don't do it again' from work, but the BON has much bigger fish to fry than an arrogent family member complaining about a phone call. Normally, board isn't involed unless something has occured, like an injury or medication error and even then, if no harm was caused, it's very unlikely that anything more than a slap on the wrist will happen.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Feb 29, 2016

IF (and that's a big if) they do report it, you are facing possible punishment for false documentation. I don't think you'll lose your license. More likely a fine, CEU requirement, etc. I would call your malpractice insurance if you have it. If not make sure you have a lawyer IF you end up before the board. Good luck.

MedChica · Feb 29, 2016

I have a family member threatening to try to get my license revoked because I didn't call them after their family member

>rolls eyes

I agree with the 1201am entry. The BON's usually got bigger fish to fry. It's not a small matter what you've done but there are too many nurses catching DUI's, neglecting pts and 'using'.

You've gotta think long-term, though. Current actions can affect you years from now.

Documentation is serious.

So...don't document things that you will do in the future. You're not a new nurse and I'm not telling you what you didn't already know. Listen, I know that and I've done it. When I'm busy (depending on content: change of status or some other event) "documentation" is just another task to get out of the way.

Still, if you don't place the call, never document that you did. (Ever.)

littlelimabean01, LPN · Feb 29, 2016

So I'm currently nervous as hell and could really use some good advice. I'm a new nurse (well, I consider myself new after only 4 years of working the same nursing home job)...I have a family member threatening to try to get my license revoked because I didn't call them after their family member. I screwed up and documented that I had called them but then got busy and completely forgot to call. What are the chances that I'd be able to get my license back if it were revoked? TIA.

I don't know if I am missing something, but what were you supposed to notify them of? What was the incident that happened? If something happened and as long as you notified the RP then you are not required not notify anyone else.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Feb 29, 2016

I don't know if I am missing something, but what were you supposed to notify them of? What was the incident that happened? If something happened and as long as you notified the RP then you are not required not notify anyone else.

I'm guessing the patient either fell or died, and she didn't notify the family.

Whatever, she's not going to lose her license over it.

P. S. Maybe I'm just having a brain fart, but what's an "RP"?