WI Board of Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have been an RN for 13 years, never had an issue with my license. Last year I was trying to get a new job and was having difficulty finding a contact for my supervisor from 7 years prior. A colleague of mine indicated they knew the person and had the form completed on my behalf. Needless to say, that person was not truthful and the reference form was forged.I became aware shortly after the form was singed (but before any call was placed) and "panicked" allowing that colleague to call in place of my supervisor.

I was reported to the board for impersonating my prior supervisor.

During the course of the investigation I denied any knowledge of the forged form, and it was found that I was not honest.

I had my license reprimanded with added educational hours required, a monetary fine, and limits on my compact status for 2 years.

2 weeks later I received a certified letter stating Illinois Dept of Financial an Professional Development was requesting my Illinois RN license be disciplined, revoked or suspended due to the act of Fraud in Wisconsin, stating I had " Engaged in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public".

I am not that person. I had a moment of indiscretion and tried to stop the colleague from calling the hospital in question and I was too late.

I don't know what to do as I was told by Wisconsin that my other licenses would not be impacted, or I would not have singed any stipulation.

I did self report to my other state of licensure since Illinois was notified and I do not want it to appear as though I am hiding anything.

A nurse friend of mine directed me to come here to this site for feedback and suggestions.

I have a MSN and have never had a patient concern related to my ability to practice as a nurse, but I feel I am being persecuted here.

My current lawyer is not a licensure attorney but he allows me to make payments (or not since I am in finical straights recently).

What d I do?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Contact TAANA Executive Office - Home and find a license defense attorney. Now. Of course stipulations follow you to other states as that is part of the NLC & Nursys license verification. Most BoN subscribe to license action alerts from Nursys. At least you self reported

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Not sure what to do, but I assure you it is not unusual at all for actions against your license in one state to cause similar actions to be taken by Boards in other states--it's not persecution, it's quite normal. Sorry you got into this mess. In hindsight, I'm sure you realize that your biggest mistake was your denial that you "had any knowledge of the forged form." Had you 'fessed up immediately to your misplaced trust in the dishonest person who forged the reference, you might have had a prayer. I don't think there's much you can do at this point, except to be utterly truthful with Illinois, as well as any other states in which you hold licenses, and hope they merely discipline you; I think the good news here is, one, states seem (I have noted) to base their actions on the actions of other states (which might let you keep your Illinois license the way you'll be able to keep the Wisconsin one), and, two, you have learned a valuable lesson: honesty, however bad it looks in the light of day, is always the best policy!

Again, sorry it worked out bad, but it could have been worse! Live and learn! Good luck :)

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