How Domestic Violence Accusations Impact Your Nursing Career in Vermont

When you're a nurse accused of domestic violence (DV), it's not just the court you have to worry about. If you're convicted, the Vermont Board of Nursing can come after your license—and your career. That's why you need more than a criminal defense lawyer. You need someone who knows how to handle professional discipline cases and how to defend your license from the start.

Vermont nurses need support when life happens. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team is here. We are experienced in professional license defense in Vermont and nationwide. Contact us here or at 888.535.3686. We make things easier.

Good Nurses. Tough Allegations. Real Consequences.

You fought hard for that nursing license—late nights, exams, clinicals. It wasn't easy, and you earned every bit of it. But keeping your license? That's a whole different challenge. It doesn't always matter if it was fair. All it takes is one report. Then comes the letter. Or the call.

In Vermont, the Board of Nursing handles complaints against nurses. One moment, everything is normal, then the next, they are asking questions and reviewing every detail. From there, things get real. Fast. Interviews. Investigations. Possible suspension. Maybe even a formal hearing. And one thing's clear: once the nursing board gets involved, the process is in motion. And it's not going to be straightforward.

Understanding how the laws on domestic violence and protective orders intersect with your professional obligations is critical—and so is having experienced legal counsel who knows how to protect your license. While your criminal defense lawyer focuses on keeping you out of jail and protecting your rights in criminal court, they may not be equipped to handle the separate and highly specific process of defending your nursing license. Licensing boards follow different rules, have different priorities, and can discipline you even if your charges are dismissed. To protect your career, you need someone who understands how the nursing board works and what it takes to defend your license.

What Is Domestic Violence?

From a legal perspective, domestic violence isn't just physical violence. It can include emotional abuse, threats, harassment, or even just a heated argument that someone else reports as concerning. These charges often come up in the middle of breakups, custody battles, or other tense situations, and not every accusation is straightforward or truthful.

What Is a Protective Order?

Think of a Protective Order (known in some states as a Restraining Order) as a court's way of telling you to stay away from someone—no calling, no showing up at their home or work, basically no contact. It's also sometimes called a Relief from Abuse (RFA) order. It's usually put in place when someone says they feel threatened or unsafe because of you. Even if nothing criminal has been proven yet, breaking that order can land you in serious trouble, so it's something you really want to handle carefully.

Here are some examples of how a Protective Order might affect you:

• Jessica and her partner had a really bad fight, and the next day, her partner went to court and got a protective order against her. Now, Jessica can't call or visit their home without risking arrest, even though the fight was just a heated argument and nothing physical happened. Jessica didn't realize how serious the order was, and now she's working with a lawyer to figure out how to respond and protect herself.
• Nurse Tina was accused of domestic violence by her roommate, and a protective order was issued quickly. It means Tina can't go home or contact her roommate while the case is ongoing. Even though Tina insists she's innocent and that the accusations are exaggerated, breaking the protective order could put her in serious legal trouble, and it could even affect her nursing license.
• John is a nurse at a busy hospital, and his partner is a doctor there. After a disagreement turned serious, his partner obtained a protective order that not only prohibits John from contacting her but also orders him to stay away from certain areas of the hospital where she works. This means John can't even go into the unit where she's assigned, which severely limits his ability to do his job. Now, John is facing the difficult challenge of defending himself against the allegations while trying to keep his nursing career intact.

Remember, the threshold of proof to get a protective order is low—someone just has to go to court and say they are afraid. You don't even have to be part of the process.

Can the Board Act Even Before I Am Convicted?

Yes. If someone reports the DV charge and claims it affects your performance as a nurse or affects public safety.

If there's a protective order that requires you to stay away from your place of work (this can come up where both people in a relationship work at the same hospital, for example), then your job is going to have to be on hold until the order is terminated.

Here's How the Process Works in Vermont

Here's how professional issues related to DV can play out for nurses in Vermont:

• A Complaint Gets Filed
  Someone files a complaint based on the DV charges. Or—if you've been convicted—the conviction is reported to the Board.
• The Board Takes a First Look
  Next, the Board does a quick review. First, they decide if it's something they even have the authority to investigate. Then they ask: If this is true, does it potentially affect patient safety? If the answer is yes, they'll open a formal investigation.
• You Get a Letter
  If you're under investigation, you'll likely get a letter from the Board. These letters are often confusing and intimidating. Don't rush to respond. Talk to an attorney first. What you say now can impact everything later.
• The Investigation Begins
  This is where things get real. The Board might talk to coworkers or ask you to submit a written response.
• How It Might End
  Not every complaint leads to discipline, but some do. You could be offered a settlement, agree to restrictions on your license, or be called to a hearing. In more serious cases, suspension or revocation is on the table. What happens depends on the details—and how well you're prepared to respond.

Meanwhile, your criminal DV case, if not yet complete, is proceeding. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and that's where a knowledgeable ally is key.

Your Best Defense to Licensing Board Inquiries

Here are some lines of defense if the Nursing Board inquires about DV charges and convictions.

Domestic Violence Charges:

• The charges are alleged and not yet proven; the presumption of innocence applies.
• There is insufficient evidence to support the allegations.
• You did not engage in any abusive or violent behavior.
• There may be evidence of false or exaggerated claims motivated by personal disputes (e.g., custody battles).
• You have a history of good professional conduct and no prior disciplinary issues.
• You are actively participating in counseling, anger management, or other rehabilitation programs.
• You have taken steps to resolve the situation amicably, such as mediation or family counseling.
• The alleged incident occurred in a non-work-related context and does not affect professional duties or patient safety.
• You work in a laboratory setting, handling specimens and data without patient contact—the charges do not impact job responsibilities or professional competence.
• You are now separated or living with a different partner.
• You were caring for a seriously ill family member, which caused significant emotional and mental stress. That situation has been resolved.

Domestic Violence Conviction:

• You may have entered a plea agreement or accepted reduced charges that don't fully reflect the situation.
• This was an isolated incident and not part of a repeated pattern of behavior.
• You have completed all court-ordered programs, such as counseling, anger management, or community service.
• You have made significant efforts toward rehabilitation and personal growth since the conviction.
• Your professional record is clean with no prior disciplinary actions.
• The conviction happened in a private, non-work-related context and has not affected your job performance or patient care.
• You are actively participating in ongoing therapy or support groups to address any underlying issues.
• The incident was caused by a substance abuse problem, which you have now addressed through appropriate treatment or rehabilitation programs.
• Your partner or the other party was also convicted.
• You work in a laboratory setting, handling specimens and data without patient contact—the conviction does not impact job responsibilities or professional competence.

Okay, you made a mistake—chose the wrong partner, lost your temper, whatever. Nurses are human. Don't be too quick to judge yourself. The key is patient safety, not perfection.

The Investigation

Here's how an investigation might unfold:

• Your Background:
  Even if the underlying issue is a criminal charge, the bigger issue is still patient safety. Investigators may start by digging into your licensing history. Have there been past issues? Any previous discipline or warnings? They'll check systems like NURSYS to see if anything has popped up in other states. Obviously, they will look at past criminal charges as well.
• Where You Work:
  They'll want to know what your employer thinks. That could mean calls to your supervisor, HR, or compliance staff. They might not say much, just enough to quietly gather information.
• The Documentation:
  They'll comb through records—charts, medication logs, entry times, badge scans. They're looking for details that support the contention that the DV charges or conviction pose a threat to patient safety.

Navigating a nursing board investigation can be complex, but with the right guidance, you can face it confidently.

Potential Ways a Case Can Be Resolved

The Board's responses can range from dismissal to discipline. What follows will depend on their determination and how you choose to proceed.

• Case Closed:
  If the Board finds that the DV charges or conviction do not affect patient safety or your professional behavior, they might just drop it. You're in the clear.
• Heads-Up Letter:
  The Board might send a written reminder noting their awareness of your behavior. This isn't a violation, but it will be kept on record to signal that your actions are under observation.
• Voluntary Fix-It Plan:
  Sometimes, the Board offers a chance to address concerns without discipline. You agree to take steps like communication training to resolve the issue without a formal penalty. If it's a substance abuse issue, you agree to get treatment. If it's about anger management, you agree to take appropriate courses.
• Public Disciplinary Action:
  If the Board finds a violation, they may issue a formal order that's public record. This can include things like:
• Increased monitoring
• Probation or limits on your practice
• Suspension of your license
• Revocation of your license

Pending DV charges are less likely to result in a complete revocation of your license—after all, the criminal case is pending, and you may be found innocent.

The Lento Law Firm: Defending Nurses Against License Challenges

Through every challenge, every tough moment, you push forward for the people who depend on you. If you're facing issues, including a domestic violence charge or conviction or a protective order, defending your license is essential to continue the work you're dedicated to. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team is here to get you through this. Contact us here or at 888.535.3686. Serious defense for serious professionals.