I saw this article recently in one of my e-mails. As one other article mentioned, there are a lot of myths out there (some perpetrated by well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning folks).
One of the biggest issues is that you may need legal representation, regardless of whether you are sued by a patient or not. If you are investigated by your State Board of Nursing (SBON), your license could be in jeopardy.
Another reason: if you volunteer and use your nursing skills, your employer's malpractice may not cover you in the event something goes wrong because you are not at work.
Many malpractice policies can help you to pay for your defense (as most employers do not cover that). Losing your license often means losing your job. Losing your job means losing your income.
Happily, this can be remedied. Check out a malpractice policy of your own. NOTE: some specialties are more expensive to insure than others, but this may vary by carrier.
If you need a nurse attorney, see one of these fine nurse attorneys (if you are in their states) or contact a firm and ask them if they have nurse attorneys who handle cases before your SBON.
Taralynn Mackay
LaTonia Denise Wright
As always, when in doubt, check it out. Your career (and livelihood) may depend on it.
Showing posts with label SBON. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SBON. Show all posts
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Ways to lose your license in RehabLand
Yet, another version of MiddleOfNowhere SBON Newsletter appeared in my mailbox recently and it has the most interesting revocation notices in it. Sadly, most of the infractions noted are due to drug diversion or alcohol abuse. Once you have substance issues and get caught, you have report to monitoring agencies in order to complete probation and get your license back.
Some things, though, are downright scary. You can lose your license if you do the following:
1. Threaten bodily harm. To other staff members, to patients, to visitors. Probably the worst threat overheard and recorded: "Oh, don't worry about X (an obese patient) for evacuation. He/she will just have to die if there's a fire, since we won't be able to get the bed out of the room."
2. Prescribe drugs for your family, that your license does not allow.
3. Forget to tell the Board about that conviction you had several years ago for drug dealing and embezzlement. No, kids, you didn't just forget...
4. Get a facility handbook from your hospital system that says, "no loafing" After that, proceed to sleep on the job and get caught not documenting on your seven patients on multiple occasions.
And finally, if those weren't scary enough:
Work as the only licensed nurse at an assisted living facility, when you're listed as a resident AND you're disabled enough to have your own guardian, who thinks you're just filing records all day in the office.
Some things, though, are downright scary. You can lose your license if you do the following:
1. Threaten bodily harm. To other staff members, to patients, to visitors. Probably the worst threat overheard and recorded: "Oh, don't worry about X (an obese patient) for evacuation. He/she will just have to die if there's a fire, since we won't be able to get the bed out of the room."
2. Prescribe drugs for your family, that your license does not allow.
3. Forget to tell the Board about that conviction you had several years ago for drug dealing and embezzlement. No, kids, you didn't just forget...
4. Get a facility handbook from your hospital system that says, "no loafing" After that, proceed to sleep on the job and get caught not documenting on your seven patients on multiple occasions.
And finally, if those weren't scary enough:
Work as the only licensed nurse at an assisted living facility, when you're listed as a resident AND you're disabled enough to have your own guardian, who thinks you're just filing records all day in the office.
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