As a nurse, you play a prominent role in both the experience and level of care that each patient receives. Not only are nurses expected to ensure each person has a good experience, but also that the highest standards of safety and ethics are followed. When these goals are not the focus, a nursing professional may be at risk of losing their license by way of a suspension or full revocation. Make sure you know how to safeguard yourself.
Stick with Protocol
In the world of healthcare, there is more than one way to properly care for and treat a patient, but it is best to follow whatever measures the facility has in place. No matter what you think about it, it is the standard that the facility has established, and a violation of this guideline may put your license at risk. This step is especially important for travel or PRN nurses who work at multiple facilities.
Document Everything
Make it a practice to document everything, especially any measures passed down to you by a physician or administrator that you deem questionable. In the event your license is challenged, an attorney can request access to these records so that they can be reviewed. The more information in these records to support your claims, the easier the path for the attorney to defend your license, so be thorough.
Be Responsible for your Patients
Due to nursing shortages and an influx of sick patients, many nurses are forced to carry larger patient loads, and as a result, have to ask colleagues for help. Healthcare should involve teamwork, but you should ultimately be responsible for the patients assigned to you. If something happens to your patient, even if you are not the responsible party, you could still be found liable.
Address Write-Ups Promptly
Unless the offense is gross, generally a threat to a nursing license begins with a write-up. If you receive a write-up, take it seriously. Be sure to read over the document and ensure you understand it, and if there is anything you do not agree with in it – speak with an attorney. A previous write-up on your record puts you at further risk to have your license revoked in the future, so work to have any inaccurate write-ups removed.
If you are in jeopardy of license termination, you must protect yourself. Speak with an attorney to learn what immediate steps you can take to safeguard your career.
Reach out to a nursing license defense law firm like Spiga & Associates for more information.
Share28 September 2022
There are so many legal situations that you can find yourself involved with, but do those situations really require that you hire an attorney? Some instances you may not need an attorney working with you, but in other situations, an attorney is definitely a necessity. This blog contains tips and advice for working through the different elements of the legal system. You will find information that can help you determine if/when you need to hire an attorney to represent your best interests. Knowing this information can help you avoid the costly mistake of taking on the legal system without someone who knows how the system works.
