Various laws and regulations impact healthcare and, like all things in the legal world, these laws are often evolving. Nursing organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) have highlighted a handful of proposals that could impact their profession in coming...
Nurse Licensing
Is professional self-regulation on the verge of collapse?
Our country is one with a long-standing tradition of professional self-regulations. State medical boards regulate physicians, state nursing boards regulate nurses, etc. But what happens if the public feels this type of self-regulation weighs too heavily in favor of...
How do I challenge a nursing board’s decision?
As noted in previous posts, it is important to take a notification from the state nursing board seriously. These notifications are generally a sign of an impending investigation and can lead to serious repercussions. Depending on the details of the allegations,...
What is a nurse’s first steps if their license is threatened?
Many different things can threaten a nurse’s professional license. A patient could file a complaint with the state nursing board, or an employer may reach out to the board. Whatever led to the complaint, it is likely the board will move forward. The first thing the...
Is my nursing license at risk if I do not help during an emergency?
Nurses are heroes. Never has the general public been more aware of this fact than watching these medical professionals rise to the challenges presented during the pandemic. In addition to the increased expectations during the pandemic, nurses continue to find...
What should a nurse do if their license is threatened?
It is important to take a notification of a formal board complaint and investigation seriously. Each state has its own local board that takes the lead in this process. The Texas Board of Nursing (the Board) is the regulatory body responsible for this process in Texas....
When can the Texas Board of Nursing revoke a license?
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is an authoritative body that has the power to revoke a nursing license. If they exercise this power, that nurse would no longer be able to practice in the state. Generally, this group will investigate first to determine if there is...
3 most common HIPAA inaccuracies, debunked
There are many misconceptions surrounding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Some of these are fairly harmless, others can cause big problems. Medical professionals like nurses are wise to understand this law, as a failure to properly...
Can a nurse get fired for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
We are going through difficult times. The pandemic continues and many throughout the country are getting the vaccine to help reduce the risk of contracting and potentially spreading COVID-19. The question of whether or not a nurse or other medical professional could...
What happens when a nurse is accused of a crime?
There are few professions the public holds in a higher regard than that of a nurse. These professionals spend years studying, training, and preparing for their chosen profession. It is unfortunate that a single error in judgement can put this all at risk. There are...