By Barbara Forshier on March 19th, 2026 in
If you are worried about losing your nursing license in Minnesota, the good news is that the historical data shows that revocation is relatively rare.
More than 1,000 complaints are filed against nurses licensed in Minnesota each year. While historically the majority of complaints were dismissed, more recently, in the past two years, the Board has taken a more punitive approach and the discipline rate has risen from around 30% to 50%. Of course any nursing board complaint is a serious matter that can affect your ability to work as a nurse, and damage your reputation. That is why legal representation is essential.
What the Statistics Show
To understand how often nurses lose their licenses, it helps to look at the numbers in context. As of 2025, Minnesota has nearly 170,000 licensed nurses. While recent data on the total number of complaints and disciplinary actions is sparse, a 2024 report showed that between FY 2022 and FY 2024, the board received 1,956 complaints for that two-year period. During that same period, the data also showed that:
- An average of 70% of complaints were dismissed or closed with no disciplinary action.
- Roughly 22% resulted in some form of disciplinary action.
- However, the years between 2024 to present have had a marked increase in discipline to close to 50%.
- Of those disciplinary cases, only about 3% led to revocation.
In other words, while nurses can lose their license, it is not a common outcome statistically. However, as previously mentioned, focusing only on revocation misses a critical point. Discipline short of revocation will still have serious consequences for your career.
Other Disciplinary Actions That Can Affect Your License
Revocation is the most severe penalty available to the Board, but it is not the only one.
If you are investigated, you could face:
- A formal reprimand placed on your record
- Civil penalties or fines
- Practice restrictions, such as supervision requirements or limitations on duties
- Conditions on keeping your license, including evaluations, monitoring, or treatment programs
- Temporary or longer-term suspension
In Minnesota, these actions become part of the public record. That means employers, licensing boards in other states, credentialing organizations, and others will be able to see them, which can negatively impact job opportunities. Additionally, all public actions in Minnesota are reported to two national data banks. If you are licensed in other states, you will likely face a reciprocal action in each state!
If You’re Facing a Complaint, Reach Out to a Nursing License Defense Lawyer as Soon as Possible
If you are the subject of a Board complaint and investigation, you will have the opportunity to present your side of the story. How you do so will make a significant difference, and the best way to ensure your perspective is communicated clearly is to work with a nursing license defense attorney.
Attorney, Barbara Forshier worked as an RN for 40 years. She understands the challenges nurses face every day and can help you navigate this stressful situation, including:
- Reviewing the complaint and any evidence
- Guiding you in drafting an accurate response
- Advising you on supporting documentation
- Providing advice to mitigate the outcome
- And helping you navigate the Board’s procedures.
Barbara can advocate for the most favorable resolution, including negotiating corrective actions or conditions when appropriate. Reach out to Forshier Law today to schedule your free consultation and protect your nursing career.
