The Board of Registered Nursing in California pursues discipline in almost every case where a Registered Nurse suffers a conviction for Driving Under the Influence. The Board is authorized to place a nurse on a minimum of three years’ probation for a single DUI, as the Board’s Recommended Guidelines for Disciplinary Orders and Conditions of
Board of Registered Nursing
RN Accusation Dismissed
Out-of-state discipline is a common basis for California license discipline, under the applicable statutes that allow the Board of Registered Nursing to seek collateral discipline against a licensee who is disciplined or censured by another state’s licensing entity (even when the licensing entity is not necessarily a nursing board). In this case, our client was…
BRN Petition to Revoke Probation Dismissed
The Board of Registered Nursing sometimes pursues discipline against nurses whose incompetence gravely threatens the health and welfare of the California public. At other times, they pursue discipline against nurses like our client, who was placed on probation in 2016, but failed to realize she was on probation for the first two weeks. Instead of…
RN Investigation Closed with No Discipline After Interview and Section 820 Examination
One of our registered nursing clients suffered a panic attack during an episode of post-partum depression. Her husband phoned the police to help deescalate the conflict, but it unfortunately led to her arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. Although the charges were dropped, our client was questioned by the Board, given employment releases to sign,…
RN Accusation Dismissed Without Hearing
Our registered nurse client was accused of physically assaulting a patient and verbally abusing him while on duty at the client’s hospital. The problem? The only evidence of the so-called “assault” came from the patient, who had a history of psychosis and whose complaint was authored by another RN. No other witnesses had anything negative…
What to Consider if the BRN Offers the Diversion Program
When a Registered Nurse is accused of misconduct, either by law enforcement or through a hospital complaint, the common “first step” from the Board of Registered Nursing is to send the RN a letter offering the chance to participate in the Board’s Intervention Program. Previously referred to as the “Diversion program,” the Board of…
Getting a BRN Accusation Dismissed
When an Accusation is filed against a Registered Nurse in California, usually the nurse’s first reaction is “how can I get this off my record?” The presence of an Accusation on the Board’s website causes uncomfortable questions at work, it can make getting a new job far more difficult, and the Accusation itself often contains…
Stays Granted in Three License Appeal Cases
In 2017, Ray & Bishop won stay orders in three Superior Court cases, stopping license revocations while our we fought appeals in Superior Court. Two stays were granted in Board of Registered Nursing cases, permitting the nurses to work with clear licenses while we fought their appeals. A third stay was granted in a Bureau…
If the Agency Says You Can’t Do Better at Hearing, Don’t Believe Them!
As professional license defense attorneys, we try to negotiate a settlement offer for our clients in every case. The more options we can provide to our clients, the better, and some clients want to avoid the cost and uncertainty of hearing no matter what. Sometimes the agency digs in against the client and refuses to…
Arrested? Strategies to Save Your Nursing License
The flashing of squad car lights behind you as you drive home after having a few drinks. The knock at the door announcing the police. A hand on your shoulder as you leave the store. And then, that sinking feeling. Will I lose my nursing license? Here are some tips for California nurses for saving…