Arizona Nursing License Probation

Probation for licenses of nurses in AZ is offered through a Consent Agreement.  The Consent Agreement requires the nurse to do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education).  Or alternatively, refrain from doing things (unsupervised nursing like home health, working under the Nursing Licensure Compact, using alcohol, etc.). Nurse License Probation can affect:

• RN
• LPN
• NP
• CRNA
• LNA

Nurses who hold a license or certification in Arizona can face license actions by the AZ Board of Nursing for any investigatory matters.  If the AZBN determines formal licensing action is necessary it will happen after the completion of an investigation. It’s the job of the Board to review any complaint alleging a violation of the Arizona Nurse Practice Act (“NPA”) and Arizona law.  Thus, at an Arizona Nursing Board Meeting the Board will vote to determine the outcome of each investigation, thus, a defense attorney may be needed.  The Board can vote on a non-disciplinary outcome or vote to offer the nurse formal discipline.

CLICK HERE FOR ARIZONA NURSING BOARD ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION

Helpful Resources:

• Can Probation Require Drug Testing?
• Can You Work Nights While on Probation?
• Can You Work Registry While on Probation?
• How Do I Keep My Nursing License Active When Not Working in Arizona?
• What Does It Mean When a Nurse is on Probation?
• Will Your Boss Know if You are on Probation?

Responding to Practice Complaints and Investigations

After receiving an Arizona Nursing Board Complaint or self-report, a nurse receives an Investigative Questionnaire and notice from the Board requesting additional information as well as a response to allegations found in the complaint. From here, the AZBON assigns an investigator to the complaint and they begin to collect evidence. The documents and evidence collected  includes:

• Patient medical records
• Employment files from the nurses employer and business
• Criminal records
• Interviews of people associated with the Board Complaint or nursing program. (These interviewees can include the patient, nursing director, colleagues, etc.)

Criminal Considerations

Arizona Nursing Board Criminal History is an important consideration. A felony must be reported within 10 days of being charged. The following types of misdemeanor or other criminal offenses/charges are crimes that have been determined by the Nursing Board to be reportable pursuant to A.RS § 32-3208: 

• Assault and Related Offenses
• Theft and Related Offenses
• Fraud, Deceit and Related Offenses
• Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation of a Child or Vulnerable Adult and Related Offenses
• Sexual and Related Offenses
• Drug and/or Alcohol Related Offenses
• Arson and Related Offenses
• Animal Abuse, Cruelty and Related Offenses

RN, LPN, LNA, CNA, NP Attorney

Contact an attorney at Chelle Law to schedule an appointment or learn more about how our nursing attorneys can assist you with disciplinary action. Learn more about the Arizona Board of Nursing’s definition of discipline for nurses.