It has been a tough year for nurses. You have probably been working extra shifts and giving up time off to cover colleagues who have fallen ill. Being called to a hearing by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) would make your year far worse. These are some basics to remember to avoid this happening:
Communicate
Every professional makes mistakes. That is why medical staff work in teams. They can help each other avoid errors. If you are not sure about something, seek the advice of a colleague or superior. If you have made a mistake, do not try and cover it up. Report it to the correct people. Keeping things to yourself might harm a patient and can place unnecessary emotional strain on you.
Record everything
Proper record-keeping is required as part of your job. While it may seem a chore, it could save your license. Saying you carried out the proper procedures is one thing. Being able to prove it through the details you noted down is far more valuable.
Stick to the protocol
If your hospital is short-staffed, you may be tempted to take shortcuts to try and cover the workload. Doing so leaves you open to disciplinary procedures if something goes wrong. Do what you can within the stated policies. If you do not manage to cover everything, that is not your fault.
Separate your personal and professional life: When you spend so much of your week at work, the boundaries can blur. Keep certain things for outside work, and avoid posting on social media about your job.
If you need to defend your California nursing license, seek advice from an experienced Sacramento license defense attorney.
