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10 Ways to Lose Your Nursing License
NursingLink
Although we would like to believe that every nurse is a good person with good intentions, we can’t ignore the fact that every year, state nursing boards revoke dozens of licenses. While some of these men and women lose their ability to serve as nurses because of non-nurse related activities, others suffer the consequences of patient endangerment or worse. The threat of having your license revoked is ever-present, and it is important to know just what activities can take it away.
Of course, there are many more reasons your nursing license may be revoked, and the decision is ultimately up to your state board. Be sure to regularly familiarize yourself with your state’s laws and procedures.
1. Addicted Nurse Not in Good Recovery Program
We’ve all heard the story – the nurse with the back pain who gets prescribed Viodin. After her pain has subsided, she slips herself a little extra pain-killer on the side. And then a little more. And more still. Soon, she is addicted and it’s getting out of control. While abusing narcotics is reason enough to lose your nursing license, many board will suspend your license and require you enter an addiction recovery group. There are even recovery groups just for nurses in this position.
If you complete your therapy and remain clean, you can retain your license. However, if you refuse to enter recovery or continue to abuse drugs/alcohol while in recovery, your state boar can revoke your license. Because nurses are near a infinite number of prescriptions, employers know that some may be tempted to indulge. So think again if you are toying with the idea of slipping a few pills under the table.
2. Impersonating Another Licensed Practitioner
Believe it or not, this happens. And employers sometimes don’t catch it for years. A wannabe nurse may have a felony conviction that will prevent him from getting a license, or she may have had her own license revoked in the past. Whatever the case, identity theft is plausible if these “nurses” can obtain the correct papers. Whatever license you may or may not have will be immediately revoked by your state board, and that will stay on your record.
Account Removed
about 4 years ago
Very interesting peetce!
peetce
about 4 years ago
2 comments
I found this online....very interesting:
Nurses’ Duties in 1887
The item below is from a newspaper clipping Lois Turley, RN, found in her mother’s old Bible. The clipping outlines the job description given to floor nurses by hospitals in 1887.
In addition to caring for your 50 patients, each nurse will follow these regulations:
1. Daily sweep and mop the floors of your ward, dust the patient’s furniture and window sills.
2. Maintain an even temperature in your ward by bringing in a scuttle of coal for the day’s business.
3. Light is important to observe the patient’s condition. Therefore, each day fill kerosene lamps, clean chimneys and trim wicks. Wash the windows once a week.
4. The nurse’s notes are important in aiding the physician’s work. Make your pens carefully; you may whittle nibs to your individual taste.
5. Each nurse on day duty will report every day at 7 a.m. and leave at 8 p.m. except on the Sabbath on which day you will be off from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
6. Graduate nurses in good standing with the director of nurses will be given an evening off each week for courting purposes or two evenings a week if you go regularly to church.
7. Each nurse should lay aside from each pay day a goodly sum of her earnings for her benefits during her declining years so that she will not become a burden. For example, if you earn $30 a month you should set aside $15.
8. Any nurse who smokes, uses liquor in any form, gets her hair done at a beauty shop, or frequents dance halls will give the director of nurses good reason to suspect her worth, intentions and integrity.
9. The nurse who performs her labors and serves her patients and doctors without fault for five years will be given an increase of five cents a day, providing there are no hospital debts outstanding.
Source: Lois Turley, RN, works at an allergy clinic in Arkansas. She is a freelance writer. See Turley’s Web site at http://www.care-nurse.com.
Account Removed
about 4 years ago
"Perhaps the ability to sexualize vulnerable people is not the best thing for a nurse. If i were in hospital and i discovered a nurse who was caring for me was hosting a porn site, i would feel very vulnerable and uneasy. Being a Nurse is more than just doing a job. In the same way, I do not want police officers or Teachers hosting porn sites due to the implication regarding their personal preferences and mental make-up. Of course such professions demand scrutiny and seemingly judgmental standards other professions do not require. Even with all this additional scrutiny, too many nurse licenses are revoked due to inappropriate actions and behavior. It's simply a matter of seeing your behavior through the eyes of those you are supposed to be caring for. It's a matter of respect and confidence in your work and demeanor. If you don't or can't see it that way, you are in the wrong profession."
sugyka
about 4 years ago
6 comments
Yet, we nurses not suppose to be judgmental. I worked in a hospital where the majority of the patients were prisoners. They got the same treatment as the rest of the population but we can lose our license for having a porn website. This is ridiculous. I became a nurse not a nun and what I do in my private life is my business.
Gomerer
about 4 years ago
2 comments
Another sure way is to start talking about a union in your hospital. You may not lose your license but your going to lose your job.
NurseSandy
about 4 years ago
6 comments
Lizabeth390..Thanks for your comment...I was beging to believe the our breed of nurses had died off and I missed it. Its nice to know there are others..and I know there are, that still feel compassion for someone else. But it was nice to see it here on this site....
NurseSandy
about 4 years ago
6 comments
And about the whole porn site thing...Nurses also have an images to uphold. And showing your personals off on a website....Is not the image I mean. Dont any of you remember why you wanted to be a nurse to begin with? Didnt any of you overly self concerned nurses ever want to take care of (other) people...help them get better...Watch them progress or was it always about the money?
lizabeth390
about 4 years ago
2 comments
i agree with the article completely ... I have worked with nurses that have a alcohol problem many times. I have even had a cena come to work smelling of alcohol and was terminated the same day .. i have never taken my pain medicine and went to work .. i always waited until after work to take it and made sure that it was out of my system before i went to work My patients safety has always been of the highest prioity ..... anyone that would take something from a patient needs to have counseling to begin with
NurseSandy
about 4 years ago
6 comments
I must say I am a bit shocked at these comments I am reading.
There seems to be a lot of concerned people....concerned about them selves.
Do you not see the reasoning behind these articles?
We...all nurses are to keep are pt. free from harm...Safety is always first on our watches.
So I highly agree..that a drug addicted nurse should not be on the floor...
If she cant take care of herself, than she is unable to put the pt. first.
thatsjustme
about 4 years ago
2 comments
how come you can be a stripper but you can't have a pornographic website?
nrs654
about 4 years ago
4 comments
how do you find the comments made regarding your question asked??
nrs654
about 4 years ago
4 comments
Can a nurse loose a license for illigal gambling on line?
1concernedRN2b
about 4 years ago
2 comments
if a nurse condones the behavior of a rapist and allows him back into the house with her minor children ranging from the age of 17 to 13, is that considered negligence? or putting the welfare of minors in danger? would she be held responsible for anything that should happen to those kids? and would that be grounds to have her lisence as a professional taken away?
Kdealsharp
over 4 years ago
2 comments
I am an LPN and have been for 30 years. Last June I received a certification that was very difficult. A resident (of sound mind) gave me a card with money in it. 5 Months later I was fired from my job for excepting a gift from a resident. I have been turned into the State Board of Nursing and am now waiting to see what happens. I am devastated and very sick about all of this. I loved my job and was good at it. Now I am on the job hunt. Beware: NEVER except a gift from any patients or their family.
etsr
almost 5 years ago
2 comments
What does one do if while under a Consent Agreement financial difficulties make it imposible to remain in compliance?