In a post last week, we started discussing some of the disciplinary measures that can be meted out by the Minnesota Board of Nursing to nurses that it has determined violated some aspect of the Nurse Practice Act.
We also discussed how the board always takes the unique circumstances of each case into consideration when deciding on discipline, and how protecting the health and safety of the public is always the prevailing concern.
Some of the additional disciplinary measures that can be taken include:
Conditional license:
If a nurse is granted a conditional license, it essentially means they are free to practice as they normally would provided they continue to meet certain criteria set forth by the board. For example, the nurse may be required to complete certain courses, abstain from alcohol or submit periodic status reports from a nurse supervisor.
It’s important to recognize that this is not the same as a limited license, which restricts the scope of practice until such time as any ordered requirements are completed.
Suspension:
Nurses whose licenses are suspended are expressly prohibited from providing any type of health-related services. This prohibition can either be for a set amount of time or indefinite.
The process by which a nurse is able to have their license reinstated is outlined in the disciplinary order. For instance, they may be able to see the suspension stayed once they satisfy certain requirements set forth by the board.
Furthermore, it must be noted that those nurses subject to a license suspension are barred from holding any position requiring a nursing license or from using job titles that are indicative of licensure.
Revocation:
This, of course, is the most stringent disciplinary measure, as it results in a nurse losing their license and registration, meaning they cannot practice in any capacity in the state. This step is reserved only for the most egregious cases, and those who lose their license are typically unable to get it back.
If you’ve received any sort of communication from the Board of Nursing that could affect your career and your reputation, please consider speaking with a dedicated legal professional as soon as possible.
Source: Minnesota Board of Nursing, “Forms of disciplinary action,” Accessed Feb. 12, 2015