Nursing Law & Order

Don't Have It, Buy It!

As a nurse you don't go to work and say "I am going to do something to get me reported to the Board." Things happen. The majority of my clients unfortunately don't have professional liability insurance. Those nurses if they want to retain me have to pay out-of-pocket for representation. Nurses are told "you don't need insurance, your protected under the facility's policy" or "having insurance make it more likely you will be sued." Don't believe the hype. You are a professional, so consider your options, and make an informed decision.

Consider purchasing your own policy, research the issue, and make your own decision. The majority of nurses don't have legal representation in Board of Nursing disciplinary investigations and adjudications probably because the majority of nurses don't have an individual professional liability insurance policy with a licensure defense protection benefit. Considering purchasing insurance? See www.nso.com and www.proliability.com for starters.

Legal Nurse Consultants

The American Nurses Association is seeking comments on the draft Legal Nurse Consultant Scope & Standards of Practice which were posted on July 25, 2005 on ANAs website. Are you working as a legal nurse consultant? Are you considering legal nurse consulting? If so, review the guidelines and provide ANA with your input. See the ANA website at www.nursingworld.org. Also see the website of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants at www.aalnc.org. The Legal Nurse Consultant Scope & Standards of Practice recognize and confirm legal nurse consulting as a nursing specialty. What is your opinion?

Nursing Journals

I am increasing the number of journals I receive. I receive the American Journal of Nursing as a member of the American Nurses Association. In the near future, AJN won't be included with ANA membership according to information provided by ANA to its membership. I am not sure if I will purchase AJN. I subscribe to Nursing 2005 and Nurse Practitioner. I receive the Journal of Nursing Law as a member of The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA). I just signed up to receive the Advances in Skin & Wound Care, Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing, and Home Healthcare Nurse. See the Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins website for additional journals. LWW . What other journals would you recommend?  What about nursing magazines?

Vacation or Vacation & CE

I am going to Las Vegas for vacation next week for five days. This is my first vacation for the year because I don't consider business trips as "vacation." I normally try to combine vacation with CLE or CE for tax purposes, but not this time. Do you combine vacations with CE? If you are interested see the CEs at Sea website.

Too Much CE and CLE

Okay, I am a nurse and an attorney practicing in both fields. Nice, right? Yes, but it means I have to complete CE for my Ohio nursing license and CLE (continuing legal education) for my law licensure in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Of course, each state has varying amount of CLE to be completed for renewal. My RN renewal for Ohio was $65.00 this year. I received my Ohio law license renewal which is due September 1, 2005 and costs $300.00. Kentucky and Indiana are coming.

How do you feel about mandatory CE? What is your impression of licensure fees for professional licenses? Does CE equate to competency in nursing?

Due Process

What does due process mean to you? What types of due process do you expect in the nursing workplace? Does the definition given of due process mean anything to you as a nurse?

Hospital or Elsewhere

Are you practicing in a hospital or elsewhere? I worked in a hospital for several years and transitioned into home care almost five years ago. I like the flexibility especially since I am per diem. I worked 4th of July weekend, 1 visit on Saturday and 3 visits on Sunday and Monday. I've been a RN since 1993 and when I graduated you had, I mean you had to work in a hospital. Times have changed.

American Nurses Association

Do you belong to the American Nurses Association? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Do you belong to any specialty nursing associations? If yes, why? If no, why not?

To Purchase or Not to Purchase

Do you have professional liability insurance? Does it have a licensure defense protection benefit? If you don't have insurance, what is your rationale?

American Journal of Nursing articles

Have you reviewed the two articles discussing board of nursing disciplinary investigations in July 2005 Vol. 105 No. 7 of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN)? One article advocating for a Bill of Rights for Nurses in investigations is written by Sharon LaDuke, who directs a med-surg unit at Lakeview Hospital in Utah. The second article written by Vickie Sheets provides the viewpoint of the board of nursing. Sheets is a nurse attorney and director of practice and regulation for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Welcome Fellow Nurses

My name is LaTonia Denise Wright. I am a practicing home health R.N. and attorney. This blog is dedicated to discussing the practice, professional, and legal issues impacting nurses.