Arizona Nursing Board Investigation Notice
When a nurse receives a Board of Nursing Investigation Notice it’s important for them to understand the process and how an attorney can help. When the Board of Nursing receives a complaint against a nurse, they will launch an investigation into the problem. This allows them to fully determine whether or not they need to discipline the practicing nurse. Depending on the results of the investigation, the Board can suspend, limit or revoke the nurse’s license or certificate.
The Written Notice
After receiving a complaint, the Board of Nursing will send a formal written notice to the nurse. This notice lets him or her know their case is under investigation. The notice contains facts that have been gathered by the investigator as well as the rules or statutes that were possibly violated. The Board wants the nurse to explain why the Board shouldn’t take disciplinary action. After receiving their notice, the nurse should request a hearing within 30 days.
The Hearing
Any time a nurse receives a complaint and a written notice of such, he or she should never fail to ask for a hearing. At the hearing, the nurse and their attorney can then give their side of things, and avoid or minimize disciplinary action. Investigations can take up to seven months or more. This timeline depends on how serious the allegations are. Cases involving high risk or harm to a patient can be completed in less than a month.
Don’t Take the Complaint and Investigation Too Lightly
Sometimes a nurse may feel the complaint isn’t a big deal. However, no matter if it’s true or not, a nurse’s reputation and entire career can be on the line. In fact, the way in which a nurse responds to a board of nursing investigation notice can have a critical effect on the case and its outcome. If you’re a nurse with a written notice of investigation, you may not be sure of how to respond to it. Understanding why failing to respond may have dire consequences can be critical to the outcome of the case. In the notice, you’ll see a deadline to send in your reply to the allegations in the complaint. If you feel you don’t know how to effectively respond, obtaining an attorney’s help in composing your statement can be crucial. Suffice it to say, if you ignore, delay or dismiss your response to the complaint, this might be a very critical mistake.
Don’t Discuss Your Case with Anyone but an Attorney
After receiving a notice of a complaint you may feel like venting to friends or co-workers. This is a bad idea. In order to avoid damaging your case or worsening things, it’s important to keep matters to yourself. Remember, any of your co-workers or friends you speak with may be a witnesses in your case. Also, refer every question you receive should to your attorney.
Right to Legal Help
Since the results of a Board of Nursing investigation can potentially ruin your career, it’s wise to seek professional help to protect license. Having an attorney with experience in defending state licenses means having the help you need to craft a response to a board of nursing investigation and a good defense to prevent you from losing your license. Keep your career on track and exert your rights.
Nursing License Renewal
Arizona Nursing License Renewal happens every four years APRN, RN, LPN’s must submit an application to renew their license. The sooner a nurse renews their license the less expensive it is. For example, a nurse who renews their license on time (by April 1) pays a fee of $160 fee. Should they decide to wait on renewing, or if there is a delay, and they renew by May 1 the fee becomes $210. For each month there is a lapse in renewing the license there is an additional late fee of $50. This fee caps out at $200. If the license fails to be renewed by August 1 it will expire.
If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Nursing Board Complaint services and how to protect your rights, set up a consultation with Chelle Law and our Arizona Nursing Attorney reach out to us today.