If you are a nurse, obtaining and maintaining your nursing license is your most important professional concern. It also represents the years of training and education you have completed and the significant investment of time and money you dedicated to preparing for your field. But that valuable, hard-earned licensure can be threatened if you are accused of serious violations ranging from personal transgressions, such as failing to pay child support, to professional misdeeds, including abusing or neglecting a patient, breaching patient confidentiality, or exploiting an elderly patient.

What is Financial Exploitation?

The Elder Justice Act of 2009 defines exploitation as “an improper act or process . . . that uses the resources of an elder for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain, or that results in depriving an elder of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, belongings, or assets.” Examples of financial exploitation include taking money without permission, failing to repay money you borrowed, overcharging for services, or failing to do what you are paid to do. Using a patient's credit card for unauthorized personal purchases is a common tactic used to exploit an elderly patient. Because they often have access to the belongings and documents of elderly patients, nurses can be the first suspect if there is any irregularity in the patient's finances.

What is at Stake if You Are Accused of Exploiting Your Elderly Patient?

The risk to your nursing license is significant if you face accusations of exploiting an elderly patient. Initially, a report can be made to an administrator of the organization you work for, the district attorney of your state, or the social service agency in your state, frequently called Adult Protective Services, that serves the elderly. A complaint against you may then be filed with the board in your state that licenses nurses. Each state has its own process for responding to a complaint, but typically there is an investigation and a hearing, which may result in disciplinary action that can include the loss of your nursing license. You may also face a civil suit or be served with a restraining order. It is essential to have a legal team experienced in helping nurses retain their license to practice as they meet this challenge.

Are You a Nurse Accused of Exploiting an Elderly Patient? The Lento Law Firm Can Help

The knowledgeable Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm has extensive experience successfully advising and defending nurses across the country facing accusations of exploiting an elderly patient. They are passionate about ensuring you retain the license you worked so hard to obtain, and they will negotiate effectively on your behalf. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686, or submit a confidential online consultation form.