I had a legal consultation with a nurse this week and her employer told her in the course of investigation of a workplace incident, you know "you could lose your license for this" and "we could have your license." Excuse me?
Employers have control and make business decisions related to the workplace. That includes whether to hire or fire employees, policies and procedures, purchasing equipment and supplies, in-servicing of employees, etc.
A nursing license is privilege granted to you by a state regulatory agency based upon you meeting the conditions for licensure. In general (unless the nurse poses a immediate risk of harm to the public and swift action is warranted based on the facts) the state must afford you with due process (investigation of the allegations in a complaint filed against your license, being informed of the allegations in the complaint, attorney representation if you choose to represented, etc.) before any action (reprimand, suspension, probation, revocation, etc.) is taken against your license.
Your employer does not control your nursing license. You control your nursing practice, as you decide where you decide to practice, if you want to continue to practice with a certain employer, if you want to resign from your employment with Employer A and seek employment with Employer B, Employer C, Employer D, or Employer E. You can always find employment with Employer Z also.
Your nursing license is what is important and you take your license with you when you resign or you are discharged from your employment with Employer T. You can always find another position with Employer X around the corner with medical, dental, and other benefits that you need for you and your family. This is one reason why all nurses should consider starting and maintaining retirement funds, accounts, and medical benefits that are not connected with any specific employer, such as Employer U.
If Employer S threatens with "you can lose your license" or "we are reporting this to the Board", consider obtaining a legal consultation so that you can obtain counseling and advising on what your options are at that point. You always have options.
Institutional licensure for nurses does not exist, thankfully. Can you imagine the power (employers have enough power already over nurses) that institutional licensure for nurses would give hospitals, the long-term care industry, etc?
Its your nursing license, not Employer Vs. Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by idle threats and the silly techniques used by some nursing employers to intimidate and belittle nurses.
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