Have you ever heard the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Although most people automatically think of staying healthy when they hear this saying, it is a useful approach to all kinds of situations. For nurses, adhering to this concept can be one of the best methods of nursing license defense before it is ever needed.
All nurses practicing in California are vulnerable to license disputes, complaints and legal actions. It can be difficult to mitigate the career risks associated with licensed nurses. Anyone can lodge a complaint against you, accuse you of wrongdoing or question whether your license is valid.
In most cases, allegations against a license take nurses completely by surprise and many of them are not prepared to defend their careers. However, there are tips to help you offset any risks to your license. Here are a few for you to consider.
- Review the state’s nursing practice act regularly to avoid breaking any rules.
- Only engage in nursing practices that are based on evidence.
- Make sure you know and understand your employee handbook.
- Always be respectful to patients, their family and your colleagues.
- Focus on what you are doing when providing any form of care to your patients.
- Pay attention to detail when documenting the care you provide.
- Consult with a nursing license defense attorney as soon as any allegations arise.
- Continue building your nursing education to stay current on practices.
An initial accusation or allegation of wrongdoing is just the first step in a license investigation. Even if you know you have done nothing wrong, it is up to you to establish your nursing license defense. An attorney can be invaluable in meeting this goal.
