Most Asked Licensure Questions
Have you ever thought about the possible situations that can get your license in trouble with the board of nursing? As I teach the stipulation classes there are some trends I see. Some report actual situations and some raise concerns about possible issues. Until recently many of the problems related to things that occurred before individuals became nurses. Sadly nurses found themselves answering for behaviors that occurred when they were young. Many of them related to drug behaviors when there were teens. Others were about minor violations with the law. These offenses were identified when the board revised its policy and form related to licensure renewal. People had been arrested but never convicted of a felony and in some cases never charged. They thought it was not necessary to report. However, the board says that if you were arrested and you did not report it. It is considered a violation of the Nursing Practice Act.
Board of Nursing Changes
Fortunately the board revised the form for licensure renewal. If you have ever been arrested/detained, you are required to answer a series of questions and you will need to provide the board with documentation about the arrest. This change will save time and money for nurses. The same process applies for persons enrolling in nursing school. All violation of the law must be reported. While the above may be information that you already know, there is other information or requirements that we don’t know or seem to forget. Here are some examples – in no particular order.
Violations of the Nursing Practice Act (NPA)
even if you read the NPA you may be unclear how to apply it. Because the NPA is written by the legislature it makes very broad statements. These are sweeping statements and could be interpreted differently by different nurses. During our classes, nurses speak to these topics listed below that they often encounter in practice, some are aware of the particulars differ but the overriding concern is the same.
- HIPAA violations go beyond confidentiality. HIPAA allows a person to decline having healthcare information shared with insurance companies. Nurses say they are at a lost when this issue arises. They have learned that patients must sign the form if they wish to receive services. If this occurs, consult your institution’s policy and procedure related to HIPAA.
- Failure to care adequately for a patient. Here you must know the policies and procedures where you work as well as the laws and rules of BON. This goes beyond what you learned in school. You need to know the specifics related to your current area of practice and your employer’s requirements. As nurses, keep in mind that you are required to function as a reasonable and prudent nurse would and according to the NPA and rules of your state.
- Refusing to care for a patient – there are provisions that permit nurses to refuse under certain circumstances, but they must follow specific guidelines. Know if you citing practice or ethical decisions such as refusing to care for an abortion patient or refusing to accept an assignment due to poor staffing. Familiarize yourself with the options available to you beyond what you are told.
- Not meeting your financial obligations- the board specifically looks at two areas (1) failure to repay a guaranteed student loan and failure to pay child support. Learners often comment that this is “none of the board’s business.” It is an integrity issue for you are nurses 24/7 and are held to a very high standard of ethical behavior. You are trusted to do what is right to keep your word.
- Impaired Nursing covers drugs, alcohol and mental illness. Know your state’s laws, know what the board says. Be familiar with your responsibility and accountability related to yourself and peers. Be aware if your state offers a program for impaired nurses. Also know what is expected of you if you know or suspect that a nurse is impaired. Be aware that in some states, disciplinary action can be taken against nurse’s license if she/she does not report impaired or suspected impairment.
These are just a few examples. The more you know the better. It is the best way to protect your nursing license. Keep current by knowing what is required of you by visiting your BON’s website, knowing your employer’s policies and procedures and by participating in meaningful continuing nursing education related to their current area of practice.