Its Just a Public Reprimand! Thirsty Thursday and One Long Island Iced Tea

Its Just a Public Reprimand is like saying Its Just a Hemorrhoid.

Okay next time you see me ask me to tell you about similarities and differences between a public reprimand and hemorrhoid. I can't do it on the blog; its too offensive and I don't want to receive a private email (which I will have to publish here on the blog) or written correspondence by mail (which I will have to publish here on the blog) from some nurse saying how offended she (its always a she) was by my blog post.

Why am I harping on a public reprimand this week? After all it is the least amount of discipline available and its not probation, suspension, or revocation.

What is a public reprimand?

http://www.rn.ca.gov/enforcement/dispaction.shtml#term

A public reprimand is not a private reprimand.

A public reprimand is a big deal because like Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT), its no big deal initially but give it time. I went out with a group of my girlfriends and I had a LIIT last month; I sipped and danced and sipped and danced a little more. This wasn't a watered down LIIT but a "real long" LIIT made at a serious bar for serious drinkers who seriously want their monies worth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_Iced_Tea

It was 6pm and I met my friends for Happy Hour. I don't get out much because I work 12-16/6. So I am thinking oh this isn't too bad, its 6pm on Thursday, I will hang out until 9pm or so. I also assumed the drinks would not be too stiff because folks have to work the next day, right? I know.

I asked for a glass of champagne or sparkling wine and the bartender at this club laughed. This should have been a clue for me, right?  My BFF said "oh give her a LIIT."

Then, she says "you know its Thirsty Thursday, so drink up." Okay, this should have been my second clue, right? Drink up on a Thursday? Really? I have to work on Friday and to me that's like saying drink up on a Sunday evening.

It was Thursday but I wasn't Thirsty for a beverage.

I am always Thirsty for the big faces (large bill denominations) but never alcohol. Maybe I can have a Thirsty Thursday once a month in my law practice where I charge $75.00 for a 30 minute telephone legal consultation. I may try this next month and set aside one Thursday (9am to 7pm) for legal consultations at $75.00. Stay tuned.

I had ONE LIIT. One LIIT. My husband picked me up and drove me home on a Thursday. On a Thursday. One LIIT. Enough said. Needless to say I am not "allowed" to go to Thirsty Thursdays.

But please invite me if you have a Meaty Monday. I like chicken and turkey.

How about Tired Toes Tuesday? I would love to have a manicure, pedicure, and 45 minute massage.

Before you sign a Public Reprimand, have a nurse license defense attorney review it with you and discuss the implications of the public reprimand with you.

 

Comments

[LaTonia]

Thanks, Marc for the informative information from Texas. You are so correct, any proposed discipline by a State Nursing Board or another state regulatory agency (for example if you are an Ohio Independent Provider (RN or LPN) providing home care services to your own clients and directly billing the State; nursing practice issues here are brought before the Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services and reported to the Ohio Nursing Board) needs to be reviewed by a license defense attorney. Please do not just sign on the dotted line. You are essentially making a split second decision about a matter that has short and long-term collateral implications on your nursing career. Its not just a public reprimand.

[Marc]

A side issues with "reprimands". Not every state Board of Nursing views the term the same. In Texas, a Reprimand is one step below a suspension and it tends to come with teeth ("stipulations"). And if you come from a state where a "reprimand" is barely a disciplinary action, then TBON may hyperventilate and think it is an issue where they may not issue a declaratory order or otherwise license a nurse or impose several nasty stipulations because they equate reprimand with a serious disciplinary issue. More reasons to have an license defense attorney review your board order before signing the order!

Marc