I am receiving more phone calls and inquiries regarding State Nursing Board investigations with more than one State Nursing Board. We take cases involving issues with the Ohio, Kentucky, and/or Indiana Board of Nursing.
For example, you are licensed in State A and B. If you are being investigated by State Board A and State Board A takes action against your license whether its a public reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation, this is going to be reported to State Nursing B at some point. State Nursing Board action against the license is reported to several national databanks and eventually any state where you hold a license will be informed about your discipline in State A.
In the past, I would see more cases with nurses having issues with the Ohio and Kentucky Nursing Board and the Ohio and Indiana Nursing Board. Now I am seeing more issues with the Indiana and Kentucky Nursing Boards. This is the benefit of practicing before more than one State Nursing Board because I can tell you the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana Nursing Boards and the licensure by examination and endorsement application process, the complaint investigation, adjudication, and post-discipline process, and Alternative to Discipline Programs for Chemical Dependency are VASTLY different. Like Day and Night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSWrepLjTKc
If you are licensed in more than one state and you are being investigated by one of the State Nursing Boards, talk to an attorney who is licensed to practice law in one or more of the States where you are licensed to practice nursing. Talk to someone early in the process.
Also if you are licensed in more than one state you really need your own professional liability insurance policy with a license defense benefit. Why? If you are investigated in each State do you want to pay out of your pocket for representation before two, three, or four State Nursing Boards? Of course not. I am licensed to practice law in three states and I have legal malpractice insurance with a high dollar limit for malpractice and Bar complaints. Okay, please don't sue me or report me to the Bar!!
Retaining an attorney for representation before one State Nursing Board isn't cheap and representation before two or more State Nursing Boards can be costly. When I quote flat fees for these types of cases, I always use my calculator:)
Most nurses who are dealing with more than one State Nursing Board for discipline or more than one State Nursing Board in an Alternative to Discipline Program for Addiction are representing themselves which is fine and understandable. But when you get to a point where you start dropping the balls you are juggling in the air then you may need to speak with an attorney.
I am speaking with nurses who have been monitored for 2-10 years with the State Nursing Board in an alternative to discipline program, discipline program, or a combination of both for a variety of issues. Two to Ten sounds like a prison sentence but that's just me and maybe I watch too much Law & Order.
If this is you, maybe, just maybe you need to speak with an attorney to work with you on navigating this process.
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