Nurses work hard every day in hectic, chaotic environments providing medical treatment for patients. Unfortunately, patients are sometimes unhappy with the quality of care that they receive. On these occasions, patients or even colleagues may choose to file a complaint. If you have been notified of a complaint or an investigation into your professional conduct as a nurse, you have the right to defend yourself during this process.
A Florida Board of Nursing discipline lawyer can help. We want to learn more about your situation and determine a course of action that defends your ability to care for others. Our team understands the process that the Florida Board of Nursing will take as they investigate the allegations against you.
For a free review of your case, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733.
Grounds for Disciplinary Action
A nurse can be disciplined for any violation of the Nurse Practice Act or any breach of Florida Statute 464.016, Florida Statute 464.017, or Florida Statute 456.072.
Some of the behaviors that are included in these statutes that warrant disciplinary action include:
- Engaging in gross negligence.
- Being convicted of a felony.
- Failing to comply with educational requirements.
- Attempting to renew a license through bribery.
- Helping someone who is unlicensed practice medicine.
- Engaging in a sexual relationship with a patient.
- Making or filing a false report.
- Using drugs or other controlled substances.
If you are being accused of one of these violations or something else, we can help. Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733.
The Disciplinary Process
If a complaint is filed against you, it will first be reviewed to see if it violates any state guidelines. Bedside manner, for example, is not something that is a punishable offense, even if a patient chooses to file a complaint. However, if an allegation is true and it violates the law, then an investigation may commence.
The exact process used to investigate a nurse can vary depending on the seriousness of the allegations, as well as how long the complaint was filed after the violation occurred.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the Board of Nursing will investigate a complaint and handle the offense in a manner that is fair and appropriate. They will give the nurse the opportunity to respond to the allegation and give their perspective. This may happen during an informal conference or a formal hearing. A Florida Board of Nursing discipline defense lawyer can help walk you through the process and prepare you for what comes next.
If the Board of Nursing chooses to discipline you for your behavior, they could take a number of different disciplinary actions, including:
- Requiring additional training.
- Requiring a treatment program for alcohol or chemical dependency.
- Restricting practice.
- Suspending a license.
- Revoking a license.
Depending on the severity of the allegations, you could face penalties that we have not listed here.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Is Here for You
A Florida Board of Nursing discipline defense lawyer understands the steps that the Florida Department of Health and the Board of Nursing will take to investigate a complaint. Our legal team can take the time to listen to your account of events and, from there, initiate a plan of action in your defense.
To get started, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733.
We Can Help.
