A nursing career can be incredibly difficult to manage but oh-so rewarding when you can. Not only are you in charge of caring for patients from diverse backgrounds, but you must work in conjunction with the overseeing physicians and deal with long shifts and potentially adverse patients. Like other professional licenses, the nursing license is obligated to abide by various ethical and professional standards. When the state nursing board determines that a nurse has violated one of these standards, they will administer one or more different sanctions, which can include probation.

If you or someone you know is a nurse that lost their license because of a probation violation, Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team and Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento can help. Call today.

When is Probation Imposed on a Nursing License?

Typically, nurses are put on probation for a few reasons, including:

• Executing nursing duties while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
• Failing to maintain patient confidentiality.
• Falsifying patient information.
• Sexually abusing patients, coworkers, or hospital staff.
• Any kind of criminal conviction.
• Driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated.
• Physically or emotionally abusing patients.
• Impersonating a doctor.
• Carelessly inflicting more damage on a patient or their family.
• Causing significant patient harm.

Prior to being sanctioned, a claim will have been made to the state nursing board that oversees your license. They will usually investigate the claim before notifying you of a hearing. During the hearing, you will likely have a chance to defend yourself, but many nurses choose to pursue this defense on their own and end up unsuccessful. When this happens, and the state nursing board has determined that the nurse in question is responsible for the accused misconduct, the nursing board will impose sanctions on the nurse.

Nursing License Probation Violation

A probation sanction generally allows the nurse to continue practicing, but only if they follow the nursing board's specific conditions. At the end of the probation period, the probation will be lifted. That is, unless you have done something during the probation that violated the conditions set by the nursing board, then your license could be suspended or revoked.

Some of the restrictions the board might place on your license include:

• Reporting in person for interviews and meetings.
• Submitting written reports.
• Reporting changes in residential and work addresses.
• Limitations on where you can be employed and for how long a shift can be.
• Mandatory supervision while practicing.
• Abstaining from alcohol.
• Random mental and physical exams.

If you fail to follow any of the restrictions placed on your license, it can be revoked or suspended, which means you will be banned from practicing as a nurse or using the title going forward.

How Lento Law Firm's Professional Licensure Defense Team Can Help

You have worked so hard for your nursing career. It is crucial that you arrive at your proceedings ready to defend yourself and prepared to follow any stipulation or sanction the nursing board imposes on you. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team understand how overwhelming these accusations and sanctions can be. They will work tirelessly to ensure you have a solid defense. Call 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation today.