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Washington Nursing Board Suspends Licenses Over Domestic Violence Charge

Posted by Joseph D. Lento | Jun 24, 2024 | 0 Comments

If you're not careful about keeping your work and personal life separate, your relationship drama can cause problems for you at work—especially if you're a licensed professional. Licensed nurses and nurse practitioners are held to extremely high standards and although they have a right to a personal life just like anyone else, they can come under intense scrutiny by their employers and nursing boards if unsavory personal affairs come to light. 

One nurse practitioner in Washington learned this lesson and now stands to lose his licensure. If you're caught up in a problematic personal relationship and you suspect your state nursing board might take action because of it, you should contact our Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. You can call our offices at 888-535-3686 or submit your info via our online form

Nurse Practitioner Has Licenses Suspended for Violating a Court Order 

A nurse practitioner in Gig Harbor, Washington, David Benjamin Coots, had his license suspended when he was accused of rape and domestic violence assault. He started a relationship with one of his former patients and, when he learned that she was pregnant, tried to force abortion-inducing pills on her. Coots was married but estranged from his wife, Melissa Coots, when he started a relationship with his former patient. After Coots tried to force his ex-girlfriend to take the abortion pills, he and his wife, Melissa, kept trying to contact the ex-girlfriend. The ex-girlfriend eventually sought a restraining order against Coots. 

When Coots still showed up at his ex-girlfriend's place of residence, even after the restraining order was in place, he was arrested for violating a court order. When the Washington State Board of Nursing (WSBON) learned about the allegations against Coots and his arrest, it suspended his registered nursing and advanced registered nurse practitioner licenses, effective immediately. Usually, license suspensions don't take effect right away, but the WSBON sought an immediate suspension, given the circumstances. 

When Personal Relationships Affect Your Nursing License 

Keeping your personal life separate from your professional one is usually a good idea, especially if your job involves serving the public or requires a license. You might think that what you do with your personal time away from work shouldn't matter, but it can have a significant impact on your job. 

Coots' affair with his girlfriend was his private business, but as soon as allegations of domestic violence came up, it became an issue for the nursing board. Once he was arrested for violating a restraining order, the board was well within its authority to suspend his licenses.  

Defending yourself from a complicated position like this one can be tricky. If you want to stand a chance of holding onto your nursing license, you should contact the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. We can help you deal with the nursing board and work toward a solution that doesn't require you to give up your career. 

Call us at 888-535-3686 or send us your information, and a member of our team will get back to you. 

About the Author

Joseph D. Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento has unparalleled experience fighting for the futures of his professional clients nationwide. With unparalleled experience occupying several roles in the justice system outside of being an attorney, Joseph D. Lento can give you valuable behind-the-scenes insight as to what is happening during all phases of the legal process. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

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