Dear LaTonia,
I am currently licensed in CA, I found out 3 weeks ago that my GA license was suspended in 2009. I moved out of GA in Feb 2009 and sent a letter to the GA Board stating that I was leaving the state and would not be renewing my nursing license. I just received a letter from the CA BON that because of the GA suspension, there was a complaint against me here in CA.
I had no clue that my GA license was suspended until I applied for a job. My supervisor told me she called the GA board of nursing and spoke with someone and told me that my license was delinquent/active, and that I could renew my GA license by paying some investigative fees. 3 years ago, in GA, I was levied a fine for not submitting my CEU's, I paid the fine and thought it was done. Now this...according to the compaint, I was served with the suspension notice at my old address in GA 6 months after I moved. I never received this, the complaint also states that I lived in another area of GA that I've never been to. I've only worked at my current job for less than a month, the CA BON wants me to have my supervisor submit a letter describing my practice.
I have no money, no assets.
The original complaint in GA was related to my not having any CEU's, there are no charges or allegations of abuse or anything like that, just that I was non-compliant with the CEU thing. Now what do I do? I know it cost money to hire an attorney and I know a lawyer will ask me if my license is worth it, but which rock in my yard do I turn over to find the money to hire an attorney, pay my bills, etc, etc?
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I am sorry to hear about your plight. Thank you for submitting this because alot of nurses can learn something from your situation. I cannot assist you. You need specific legal advice about your situation. I would suggest you contact a license defense attorney in CA and GA and speak with him/her about your situation. Your situation is complex because you have licensure issues in two states and it would be helpful if you could find an attorney licensed in both states or an attorney who is licensed in one of the states but is willing to guide you through the process in the other state.
Maybe the attorney will work with you on payment arrangements allowing you to make monthly payments on the balance until its paid in full. Maybe you can find an attorney to accept your case on a pro bono basis but that is highly unlikely. If you find an attorney willing to accept payment installments then by all means PAY AS AGREED.
Attorneys like nurses expect payment for the services rendered. You don't work for free as a nurse so don't expect your attorney to work for free. Attorneys like nurses have bills, car payments, and obligations also. I say this because alot of the public assume all attorneys are rich and are doing the doggy paddle in a swimming pool full of big faces. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=big+faces That's not true.
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What should nurses take from the situation?
1. Purchase your own individual professional liability insurance policy with a license defense benefit. There are several nursing insurers like NSO and Marsh Affinity and others.
2. Your State Nurse Practice Act requires you to keep your address updated with the Board for a reason. Any correspondence or documents will be mailed to the address you provide the Board. Its your responsibility to update your address so that you can receive "notice" of any complaints filed against your license.
3. I know alot of us are struggling in this economy and living from paycheck to paycheck. I really feel bad when a nurse calls my office for assistance and does not have the funds to retain my services. However I do not take these types of cases pro bono. Sorry like you, I don't work for free! If you don't have the money, borrow it from a friend or family member or tap a 401K, 403B, or IRA.
4. Nurses, both RNs, LPNs, and APRNs make good wages. Nurses are licensed professionals and as a licensed professional there is always a risk of you being named in a nursing negligence or malpractice lawsuit or a have a complaint filed against your license with the State Nursing Board. Its a foreseeable risk of nursing practice.
5. I am not saying you need a legal defense slush fund for attorney fees and litigation costs but as a professional you need to consider these risks and develop a plan just in case. Its called Risk Management. I have legal malpractice insurance and professional liability insurance for my consulting and nursing practice. I also try to keep two or three dollars in my rainy day fund, just in case.
6. That's why its so important for nurses to purchase their own professional liability insurance policy with a license defense benefit. You also need to start saving a few dollars for retirement and have a few dollars in a rainy day fund for emergencies.
7. When the State Nursing Board calls about a complaint filed against your license, its a rainy day.
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