Will Your Boss Know If You Are on Probation With the Arizona Nursing Board?

Arizona Nurses Consent Agreement

Yes, any probation (via a Consent Agreement) from the Arizona Nursing Board requires that your employer knows the terms of your probation.

In fact, any Arizona nurse on probation must provide a copy of the entire Consent Agreement and Order on or before the hire date. If the nurse is currently employed when signing the Consent Agreement, they must provide a copy within three days from the Order’s effective date.

Arizona Nurses’ Actions to Take

If currently employed, the nurse shall cause their immediate supervisor to inform the Board, in writing and on employer letterhead, acknowledgment of the supervisor’s receipt of a copy of the Consent Agreement and the employer’s ability to comply with the conditions of probation.

Probation on Employed Nursing Students

If the nurse attends a nursing program, the nurse shall provide a copy of the entire Consent Agreement to the Program Director before beginning the program.

Or, if already a student, within three days of the Order’s effective date.

The nurse shall cause the Program Director to inform the Board within three days of the notification, in writing and on school letterhead, acknowledgment of the program’s receipt of a copy of the Consent Agreement and the program’s ability to comply with the conditions of probation during clinical experiences.

Working Out of State While On Probation

So, Can a Nurse Work Out of State While Under Probation with the Arizona Nursing Board? 

Yes, under certain conditions. 

All licensed nurses on probation via a Consent Agreement with the Arizona Board of Nursing have practice-related requirements.

The standard Consent Agreement contains the following terms:

• Prior to accepting any out-of-state nursing employment, the nurse shall notify the Board of the State in which the nurse seeks to practice of their Consent Agreement and Order and shall obtain authorization from the Board to practice as a nurse in another State.
• The nurse shall direct the licensing Board of the other State to submit authorization to the Arizona Board verifying the nurse is approved to practice nursing in that State.
• Once authorization is received by the Arizona Board, the nurse may submit a written request to the Arizona Board requesting an amendment to the Consent Agreement to permit the nurse to fulfill the terms and conditions of the Consent Agreement in the other State.

Search Permission from the Arizona Board of Nursing

Thus, if a nurse on probation with the Arizona Board of Nursing wants to practice out of state, they must get permission from the Board of that state first. 

If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Nursing License Probation services and how to protect your rights, set up a consultation with Chelle Law and our Arizona Nursing Attorney. Reach out to us today.

Arizona Nursing License Probation | Nurse Licensure

A nurse in Arizona receives their probation for a license 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 Nurse (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.

Nurses’ Criminal Record and Convictions

People frequently ask our attorneys whether state law allows a nursing professional with a felony criminal conviction 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) can get licensed while having a case that resulted in a criminal conviction.

Arizona State Nursing Board Probation

Standards terms of probation can include:

• Work Supervision
• Drug Testing
• Continuing Education Courses
• Work restrictions:
  • No nights
  • No registry
  • No home health
  • No out-of-state practice
  • No more compact privilege

Working Registry While on Probation

So, Can You Work Registry While on Probation with The Arizona Nursing Board? 

No, unless the Board agrees to allow the nurse to work the registry for a specific employer. Or if the nurse is granted an amendment after signing a Consent Agreement.

All licensed nurses on probation via a Consent Agreement with the Arizona Board of Nursing have practice-related requirements. The standard Consent Agreement contains the following terms:

• The nurse may not work for a nurse’s registry, home health, traveling nurse agency, any other temporary employing agencies, float pool, or position in which they cannot maintain the supervision requirements.

Supervision Requirements

Another RN must supervise each nurse on probation. Nurses working registry cannot fulfill the supervision requirements because they must be supervised by the same RN each shift (or another under certain circumstances).

Every Consent Agreement contains one of two supervision requirements:

• Direct Supervision: Another RN must be on the unit with the nurse during the shift.
• On-Site Supervision: Another RN must be in the building with the nurse during the shift.

Criminal Record Attorneys

If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Nursing License Probation services and how to protect your rights, set up a consultation with Chelle Law and our Arizona Nursing Attorney. Reach out to us today.