Nursing is a noble profession that demands a high level of responsibility, ethics and patient care. However, nurses can face circumstances that could lead to the loss of their nursing license.
Because the stakes are so high, it is important to understand the situations that can result in a lost license, so that you can take the proper steps to avoid them.
Criminal convictions
Nurses must uphold a high standard of conduct both inside and outside the workplace. Criminal convictions, especially those related to drug offenses, violence or theft, can jeopardize a nurse’s license. These convictions raise concerns about a nurse’s ability to provide safe and ethical patient care.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is a serious issue in the nursing profession. Nurses abusing drugs or alcohol may compromise patient safety, neglect their duties or exhibit erratic behavior. Along with potentially harming patients, these actions can result in the revocation of their license.
Patient neglect or abuse
Neglecting or abusing patients is a severe breach of nursing ethics and professional standards. Such behavior may involve failing to administer medications, not responding to patient needs or even physically harming a patient. Any nurse found guilty of patient neglect or abuse can face license suspension or revocation.
Documentation errors
Proper documentation is an important aspect of nursing care. Inaccurate or incomplete medical records can lead to serious patient harm or even death. If a nurse consistently makes errors in documenting patient information or fails to maintain patient records as required, it can lead to disciplinary actions, including license loss.
Unprofessional conduct
Nurses must maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Unprofessional conduct, such as engaging in inappropriate relationships with patients, disclosing confidential patient information or displaying disrespectful behavior towards colleagues, can result in major consequences.
Repeated medication errors
Medical professionals are not infallible and can make mistakes from time to time. However, medication errors can have serious consequences for patients. A nurse who repeatedly makes medication errors, especially those that result in harm to patients, may face disciplinary actions.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, there are currently 5.2 million registered nurses employed throughout the country. Because these individuals play such a vital role in the care of patients, they must be proactive about avoiding license suspension.