1.  Make sure you have malpractice insurance so that you have the financial resources to go to a hearing if you do not agree with the BON’s decision in your case.

2. When looking for a job, ask everyone you know for help in finding a job.  It tends to be easier to get a job if someone is on the “inside” vouching for you and your skills.  There are also employers out there that understand that most nurses with a Board Order are not “bad” nurses; that the nurse just made a mistake, or was overworked/understaffed, or had a disease relapse etc.  These employers recognize that most nurses that have had a Board Order become extremely cautious nurses and become definite assets to the facility.

3. Make sure that you have an experienced and BON knowledgeable attorney assist you with your case before the BON so that you get the best outcome possible.

4. You must present a professional appearance (this includes your resume, your social networking site pages, and any application you complete).

5. Contact your state senators and representatives and ask them to make some changes for the next legislative session in 2011.  Some areas that need changes: expand the corrective action provisions to apply to minor practice violations, allow non-public orders for mental health issues and substance abuse (these are diseases, so why allow the publicity?), allow deferred adjudications to be just that and not be considered a conviction by the BON, and change the language in the NPA from shall to may to allow the BON leeway to make determinations based on mitigating factors.   As 2010 progresses, I will probably think of more…

I also have more info here:  http://nursinglaw.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-explain-past-board-orders-to.html

EVERY nurse providing patient care or affecting patient care decisions should carry malpractice insurance. I am always so surprised that other professions carry malpractice insurance but nurses routinely do not carry career insurance.

It is extremely risky and dangerous to represent yourself before the Board, so it is crucial that all nurses obtain legal representation. You need an attorney whether you are guilty or not. The Board does not think you are guilty just because you have an attorney. I have seen too many nurses end up with harsher license restrictions because the nurse represented herself/himself before the Board.

What can a nurse do today to plan for a potential investigation by the Board? Purchase malpractice insurance!!!! Be sure the policy contains licensure protection or a rider to cover any actions before the Nursing Board. By buying malpractice insurance with licensure protection, a nurse not only obtains legal representation for a lawsuit but also for legal representation before the Board of Nursing. But, remember that you cannot buy insurance for an incident that has already occurred. The insurance must be in place before an occurrence (works just like other forms of insurance).

It costs money to defend yourself against a lawsuit or an action by the Nursing Board. Even if you are innocent, you will still have to defend yourself. The costs include legal fees, consultant fees, expenses, expert fees and more. It is cheaper and provides peace of mind regarding your finances to have malpractice insurance.