I’m a Nurse and Received a Letter from my Licensing Board. What Should I Do Next?
By Barbara Forshier on September 6th, 2022 in
Receiving a Letter from the Licensing Board & How to Handle It
If you received a letter from the licensing board, we suggest contacting a nursing license lawyer right away. If the Minnesota Board of Nursing is investigating complaints against you or indicating that they believe you have been unethical in your nursing practice, you typically have a very limited timeframe to respond. During this time, you must move quickly to either respond to the allegations or request an extension of the deadline.
Why do you need to talk to a lawyer first? There is a lot at stake here. If you try to represent yourself against Board of Nursing complaints, you run the risk of sharing unnecessary or damning information, which can actually strengthen the case against you. The board will likely have its own attorney to represent and protect them during licensing issues, and you should be equally prepared.
Before you have an attorney, do not reach out to your employer about the complaints or discuss the letter with co-workers.
Do I Have to Respond to Allegations Made Against Me by the Licensing Board?
Yes, you absolutely must respond to allegations made by the licensing board. These allegations are usually received as a letter from the licensing board. Furthermore, you must do so in a timely, truthful, and complete manner. You are required to cooperate fully with the Board of Nursing and give them all the information they need to make an informed decision. Ignoring the notices you receive or failing to respond to them does not help you. In fact, going this route may actually cause your license to be revoked or suspended indefinitely. This could put you in further danger in terms of your nursing career.
Some people, particularly new nurses who have not dealt with the Board of Nursing much before, believe that allegations are similar in nature to criminal allegations or accusations. In a criminal accusation, you do not have to answer anything unless you’re arrested, and answering questions can actually make you look guilty. This is not the case when it comes to nursing board complaints. The Board of Nursing has full control over your license, and you do not have a legal right to keep your license; if you do not cooperate, even in the case of false allegations, you will likely lose your license.
If you have been sent allegations by The Board of Nursing, contact attorney Barb Forshier today. Your license could be in jeopardy if you don’t react quickly.
