Falsifying Your State Nursing Board License Renewal Application: Don't Do It!

Falsifying your State Nursing Board renewal application probably isn't a crime in your state but damn it looks bad because:

1. Falsifying your license renewal application is a violation of the State Nurse Practice Act and/or Board of Nursing regulations generally; and

2. The Board then reviews the underlying issues or offense you didn't disclose initially.

In Ohio, LPN Renewal is fast approaching and we are already receiving emails, website inquiries, and phone calls about the 2010 Ohio Board of Nursing renewal application and the disclosure of criminal convictions, disciplinary action or alternative to discipline program monitoring for chemical dependency by another State Nursing Board, and discipline by another healthcare licensing board. I feel like a kid in the dollar store with a crisp $20.00 bill.

There are several license defense attorneys who regularly represent nurses before the Ohio Nursing Board. Call someone and schedule an appointment to discuss your issue. Yes it may cost you a few hundred dollars but at least you will know what you are facing going forward when you renew your LPN license in Ohio. Some attorneys may offer the initial consultations by phone at no cost.

Don't falsify your renewal application, initial application for licensure via examination, or APRN application. If you have doubts about the questions or whether or not you have to disclose information, speak with an attorney in your state or jurisdiction. Don't go to one of the many online nursing forums, boards, or chatrooms and pose a legal or quasi-legal questions.

Alot of the answers I see on the online forums for nurses provided by one nurse to another nurse minimize the seriousness of criminal convictions and disclosures to the State Nursing Board. Alot of folks just aren't being truthful on those online forums, chatrooms, and boards. I know because I have a client who posts in one of these forums and the client is flat out lying about the facts in his/her State Nursing Board case.

A State Nursing Board renewal application, initial application, or application for APRN practice and prescriptive authority are legal documents and there may be consequences for falsification. Its not a defense to say:

* "I didn't know that I had to disclose this on the application" ;

* "If I would have known for sure I would have disclosed it";

* "My nursing instructor said I didn't have to disclose it";

* "Another nurse didn't disclose and I did what he/she did";

* "I didn't review the application, I just checked no, signed/dated, and mailed in a check";

* "The questions are confusing and I didn't understand" and

* "I didn't think it was that big of deal not to disclose this because this is old news anyway."

Talk to a nurse attorney, administrative law attorney, or license defense attorney who represents healthcare professionals if you have ANY questions or concerns about documentation you are submitting to the State Nursing Board. See www.taana.org for a referral to an attorney in your state or jurisdiction.

Comments

[LaTonia]

Do you work for a State Nursing Board? This fact pattern sounds just a little too crisp.

Dirty Little Secret,

Its okay. I don't have a issue with liars per se as we all lied at some point about something. To lie is human. However if you must lie, there are so many other folks to lie to and do the dirty dance of deceit, deception & dishonest with: anyone but your nurse license defense attorney. You tell me you charted ahead; okay, cool. You tell me you charted ahead and then 2 months later you also mention altered records, really? You tell me you charted ahead, 1 month from now I learn of the altered records, and then the following week I learn of the destruction of medical records and the Unit Shred Fest (as posted on FB) after the criminal indictment and possibility of a med mal claim (rationale for the shred fest), I am angry. You lied to me, it impacted my counseling/advising of you, and I especially & pretty pissed now because the fee I quoted you based on the info you provided, is out the fracking window and you receive a new quote based on the information I have before me now. In some cases, I just term and refund any monies owed if any because I really don't want to work with the nurse anymore. Hey Dirty, are you from the South, the Dirty South?

Are you one of my clients or did we have a consult? I feel like I know you, Dirty. Based on the facts above, we probably should become professionally acquainted. How about a consult?

Hey Dirty, you need to hire a license defense attorney ASAP, like yesterday. You need legal counseling and advice on how to proceed. Also you need to speak with your attorney about your substance use d/o diagnosis and its implications as well.

[DirtyLittleSecret]

I was charged with a DUI one month before my renewal. Even though, in my heart of hearts I knew I should have reported it on my renewal application, I was so freaked out and scared of what was going to happen...I lied. I was wound up with stress and guilt, and more Catholic guilt-a misdemeanor without accident or injury, but I could have killed someone. I had so much court ordered probation requirements-18 weeks of intense treatment, 65 daily PB tests, AA meetings for 18 months, community service and of course costs that soared into my bancruptcy, that the thought of what I'd have to go through with the BON next was too much to handle. Not "poor me," I was accurately charged and convicted. And then...I lied about it. Twice. I can't take the guilt associated with it any longer. Every day it weighs on me. I want to self-report that I lied on 2 renewal applications. I know how you feel about liars. I'd like to not be one anymore.