Ways in Which Nurses Can Lose Their Licenses

Nurses work hard to obtain their licenses. Getting a license can require at least six years of education and tens of thousands of dollars.

All that hard work and money spent can go down the drain in mere seconds. A lapse in judgment or bad decision can affect you for many years. You could face disciplinary action including probation, license suspension and even revocation.

More than 2,000 nurses had their licenses revoked in 2013. In that same year, 5,000 nurses have their licenses suspended.

Are you concerned about losing your nursing license? Find out how you may lose it and what you can do to protect yourself.

Actions That Can Lead to License Loss

Painkiller addiction is common among nurses. After all, they have access to patient medications. If they’re feeling pain, they may take a pill or two to alleviate the pain. This soon leads to more and more pills and they often become addicted. Your board may suspend your license until you complete a recovery program.

Nurses may take some medications for their ill friends or family members. Those on medications should deal with their doctors directly for refills. If you are caught stealing medications—or worse yet, selling them—you could end up in jail.

Some nurses also falsify patient records. In many cases, it is done intentionally, but nurses need to be accurate in their recordkeeping. Any error can cause harm to a patient.

Unprofessional conduct is broad and happens quite often. It encompasses many actions, such as using inappropriate language, abusing a patient, having an affair with a manager. Nurses are expected to operate with the highest levels of professionalism. One mistake could cost you dearly, so be on your best behavior.

Protecting Your License

Nurses learn a lot in nursing school, but license protection is not one of those topics. Here are some tips to help:

• If you are uncomfortable doing something, speak to someone about it and discuss your concerns. Do not do the task simply to please your manager.
• Be careful what you share with others. Just about everyone is on social media nowadays. Be careful about posting anything about your professional life.
• Be professional at all times. Even when you’re not working, people think highly of nurses and hold them to high standards.
• If you receive a complaint, keep quiet. Don’t discuss it with anyone except for a lawyer. Your lawyer can advise you of your next steps.

Keep Your License with Help From a Tampa Nursing Licensing Lawyer 

Knowledge is power. If you’re a nurse, it’s important to know what you need to do to avoid becoming one of the thousands of nurses who have their licenses revoked or suspended every year.

Getting your nursing license is no easy task, but losing it can take just seconds. Get legal representation from the Law Offices of David P. Rankin, P.A. I am a Tampa administrative lawyer who focuses on licensing issues for nurses and other professionals. Contact my office today for a consultation by calling (813) 968-6633.

Resources:

verywell.com/how-to-protect-your-nursing-license-1736109

nursinglink.monster.com/benefits/articles/4771-10-ways-to-lose-your-nursing-license