As vital as nurses are, they are held to some of the highest professional and ethical standards. If a nurse is suspected to have breached those standards, they may come under investigation, most often by the state’s nursing board, the Texas Board of Nursing (or TBON). Given the implications this can have on their career, it’s important for nurses, their colleagues, and their patients to know when they are under investigation. Here, we’ll look at how to identify this, and why it can be important to get legal counsel early.
Identifying Investigation Signs
If you want to know how to find out if a nurse is under investigation by the TBON, it’s a good idea to learn the signs that could point to that. The Board itself typically keeps ongoing investigations confidential, but there are a few indicators to keep an eye out for, like the following:
- License Status Changes: The TBON provides a license verification tool that you can use to see the status of a nurse’s license. If it shows the license is “under investigation” or “pending review” it may be a sign of a TBON investigation.
- Official Communications: Nurses under investigation may receive formal communication from TBON, requesting information or notifying them of an investigation.
- Colleague or Employer Involvement: Investigations often start due to complaints by patients, colleagues, or employers. New scrutiny of a nurse at work, like administrative leave or incident reports, could be signs of an investigation.
- Disciplinary Action or Suspension: Sometimes, a nurse might face disciplinary action immediately, like being suspended or having their privileges at work limited. This is often a sign of an investigation already in progress.
- Public Records: Once an investigation leads to formal charges or disciplinary action, this information may become part of public records. The TBON publishes disciplinary actions against nurses, which are searchable on their website.
3 Key Steps for Nurses Under Investigation
If a nurse finds out they’re under investigation by the TBON, taking the right actions as soon as possible is crucial. Responding correctly to an investigation can alter the outcome significantly. As such, here are the steps that nurses under investigation should follow:
- Review the Notification: The TBON may have sent a notification informing you of the investigation. Read it thoroughly and understand any instructions provided. They typically include a timeline for sending any requested documents or evidence.
- Gather Documentation: Collect any relevant documents that can help you defend yourself against the allegations, like charts, incident reports, emails, witness statements, and the like.
- Consider Legal Representation: Nurse lawyers can represent nurses under TBON investigation, providing the expert advice and strategies to help protect their rights and careers. Consider getting in touch with one.
Seeking Legal Counsel Early
As mentioned, one of the best steps you can follow when under a TBON investigation is to get legal representation. Don’t wait too long, and don’t expect the investigation to resolve on its own. You could be jeopardizing your license and career if you do. Get in touch as soon as you’re aware of the investigation, as this allows your attorney to review the case, advise on the best course of action, and help the nurse navigate the complexities of the BON’s investigation process.
Nurse attorneys are familiar with the regulations, standards of care, and procedures followed by the TBON, giving them the knowledge to offer targeted legal advice to help nurses avoid any mistakes, like submitting incomplete records or failing to meet deadlines. An experienced attorney can communicate with the TBON on your behalf, helping to alleviate some stress and ensuring any responses are handled with care.
Understanding The Nurse Attorney Role
A nurse attorney can be a vital ally for any nurse facing a TBON investigation. Texas Nursing Lawyers brings a combined experience of representing nurses for over 45 years. Beyond providing legal advice, they can act as advocates, helping nurses navigate the often-complicated landscape of regulatory boards, licensure issues, and professional disciplinary actions.
Nurse lawyers can provide representation during TBON hearings, presenting evidence, and questioning witnesses on the nurse’s behalf. They can play a vital role in protecting the nurse’s license, ensuring that everything is done to prevent license suspension or revocation by providing a strong defense. In the case that the TBON recommends or requires any remedial actions, like additional continuing education courses, the nurse attorney can advise on whether these actions are appropriate and help the nurse comply with the BON’s directives in a way that satisfies the board while protecting the nurse’s professional reputation.
If a nurse is under investigation by the TBON, it is critical to act quickly and wisely. Nurse attorneys play a pivotal role in protecting nurses’ licenses and careers, ensuring that they navigate the investigation process with the best possible defense. Call us at (214) 384-1902 or contact us online immediately if you or someone you know is under TBON investigation.