Attorney Joseph Lento Can Help if Your Nurse's License is in Jeopardy
Attorney Joseph D. Lento helps nurses whose professional licenses are threatened by allegations of misconduct. Contact the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or use our online form today to schedule a consultation.
Read this important information if you have received notification that your nursing education has been fraudulent and is under investigation.
A career in nursing is one demanding a high level of public trust, which is why state boards of nursing hold their licensees to such high standards. Thus, all it may take is a single allegation of wrongdoing to put your license under scrutiny. If you receive notification of a pending investigation, the first and best step you can take is to seek the help of a nursing license defense attorney who can fight to protect your interests and your career.
Joseph D. Lento is a skilled nursing license attorney with extensive experience in navigating the licensing systems and defending against misconduct allegations. Mr. Lento and the team of the Lento Law Firm will work tirelessly on your behalf to make sure your rights are protected. Your chances of a favorable outcome with the board of nursing go up considerably with a good attorney in your corner.
What types of offenses could put your nursing license in danger?
The answer to this question may depend on your specific state's regulations, but there are some general categories of misconduct that are likely to result in an investigation:
- Mishandling/misuse of drugs. Examples include diverting medications intended for patients, pilfering medications for your own use, failing to document medications correctly, or submitting unauthorized or forged prescriptions to pharmacies.
- Sexual misconduct. For example, having inappropriate sexual relationships with patients or sexually harassing colleagues.
- Patient abuse or neglect. If a nurse physically, verbally, or mentally abuses a patient, or fails to provide them with timely or sufficient treatment, this may result in the loss of the nurse's license.
- Fraud. Examples include falsifying patient records or work hours, overstating credentials, sending incorrect or inflated bills to insurance companies, etc.
- Criminal convictions. Some states disqualify nurses from practicing if they have been convicted of specific charges (such as driving under the influence or drug possession). You can also lose your license if you do not disclose a recent conviction.
These are only some of the potential offenses that could put your nursing license at risk. If you are facing allegations of misconduct, it is essential to seek the help of a skilled nursing license defense attorney like Joseph D. Lento as soon as possible.
What happens when a complaint is filed against you?
If a complaint is filed against you with the board of nursing, the board will review the complaint and open an investigation. They may ask you to submit a written response to the complaint along with any supporting evidence. If the allegations are serious, the board may issue an emergency temporary suspension of your license while the disciplinary process is underway. An investigator may be appointed to gather all necessary information, including documents, witness testimony, etc.
The board will then decide whether there is enough evidence to support the allegations against you. If they determine that there are grounds for disciplinary action, they may first offer to negotiate a consent order with you in which you will admit to wrongdoing and submit to the disciplinary action recommended by the board. If no consent order is agreed to, you will be asked to appear at a formal hearing to defend yourself against the charges. After the hearing, the board will make a final determination on whether to take action against your license--up to and including revoking your license.
Be advised that even if the board imposes a lesser penalty (e.g., fines or probation) rather than revoking your license, any disciplinary action against your license becomes a matter of public record and can damage your professional reputation. Having an experienced board of nursing lawyer like Joseph Lento can greatly improve your chances of a favorable outcome.
Why hire a nursing license attorney?
When a complaint is filed against you, the board of nursing doesn't consider you innocent until proven guilty. Their job is to protect the public, not their licensees, and so they will actively begin looking for evidence to back the complaint. This puts you at a disadvantage because even informal conversations you have with the investigator or board members could be used as evidence against you. An experienced nursing license lawyer can help you navigate this potential minefield and make sure your rights are protected, and your side is heard.
Joseph Lento, a skilled lawyer in nursing license defense, is well-versed in the disciplinary processes followed by the board of nursing. His expertise can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case and greatly increase your odds of keeping your nurse's license. The Lento Law Firm will do the following on your behalf:
- Act as your official legal representative in all correspondence with the board
- Examine the facts of the complaint to see what may be at risk
- Prepare a strong answer to the complaint that is backed up by evidence (which is frequently enough on its own to have the complaint dismissed)
- Develop a strong defense to the complaint against you
- Gather evidence and witnesses in your favor
- Negotiate with the board of nursing to either have the complaint dismissed or to agree to leniency
- Defend you aggressively at a formal hearing, if needed
How soon after the complaint is filed should you contact a nursing license defense lawyer?
The sooner, the better. If you wait too long, the board could build a solid case against you before you have a chance to defend yourself. (And as mentioned above, anything you say to the investigator or board members could be used against you, so it's best not to have any direct communication with them without first consulting with an attorney.) By contrast, hiring a good attorney early in the process gives you a much better chance of resolving the complaint without the need for a hearing.
You've worked too hard to build your career to have it upended by having your nursing license revoked. Attorney Joseph D. Lento will fight to protect your rights and work to achieve a favorable outcome on your behalf. Call the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 today to discuss your case and your options.
