Arizona Nursing License Probation | Nurse Licensure

Nurses in Arizona receive probation for licenses through a Consent Agreement. The Consent Agreement requires the nurse to do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education). 

Alternatively, refrain from doing things (unsupervised nursing like home health, working under the Nursing Licensure Compact, using alcohol, etc.).

Nurse License Probation can affect the following:

• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
• Nurse Practitioners (NP)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)
• Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNA)

AZ Board Licensing Action

Nurses who hold a license or certification in Arizona can face license actions by the AZ State 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. Therefore, one may need a defense attorney. The Board can vote on a non-disciplinary outcome or vote to offer the nurse a 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?

Arizona Nursing Board Appeals

It’s always disappointing when a nurse receives an unfavorable decision from the Arizona Board of Nursing (AZBON). However, nurses in Arizona can benefit from understanding the process that goes along with Arizona Board of Nursing appeals and hearings after the Arizona Nursing Board Complaint is heard.

If you are facing an unfavorable AZBON outcome due to an Arizona Board of Nursing disciplinary action, you can always appeal the decision (for instance, after LPN discipline).

Nurse Responding to Complaints and Investigations

After receiving an Arizona Nursing Board Complaint or self-report, the Board gives a nurse an Investigative Questionnaire and a notice requesting additional information and 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 include the following:

• 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 History Considerations

Arizona Nursing Board Criminal History is an important consideration. The nurse must report a felony within ten days of being charged.

The following types of misdemeanors or other criminal offenses/charges are crimes that the Nursing Board has determined 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

Nurses’ Criminal Record and Convictions

People frequently ask our attorneys whether state law allows a nursing professional with a felony criminal background to get a license with the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The short answer is yes. 

An Arizona felony for nurses will not necessarily prevent a nurse from obtaining a license or a career in the medical field. However, the Board has a public policy on its website covering the details of under what circumstances a nurse (like an RN) with a case resulting in a criminal sentence can get a license.

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.