A Guide to Managing Your Minnesota Nursing Professional License Defense
Finding out a formal board complaint has been filed against you is nerve-wracking and frightening. However, managing the defense of your nursing professional license doesn’t have to be too burdensome. Follow our guide, and you’ll be well on your way.
First Things
Review your insurance coverage (if you have it) for board complaints. Unfortunately, many nurses do not carry such coverage; therefore, it may be in your best interest to procure this type of coverage. Malpractice insurance does not always cover board complaints; this coverage is usually purchased separately. If you do not carry such insurance, please re-evaluate to see if you can afford the cost.
Take the Complaint Seriously
Pay close attention to the deadline given in your complaint. Because nurses are busy people with many responsibilities, they may ignore or forget to respond to the complaint by the deadline. Gathering relevant information and preparing your response is time consuming. However, it is vital that you respond on or before the deadline. If you miss the deadline, your credibility may be harmed and additional sanctions or disciplinary action may take place. Do not fail to respond to the complaint. If necessary, request extended time from the board to respond. In most cases, you will be given an extension to file your response.
Secure Counsel
The biggest mistake nurses make is failure to contact legal counsel. Many feel they can handle the complaint on their own. Even if you have not purchased malpractice insurance, contact an attorney who specializes in defending professional licenses. When you receive notification of a formal complaint, it is a very emotional time. Consulting with an attorney to review your case will afford you the best chance of having the complaint dismissed or resolved amicably. Contact us to further discuss your case with an experienced attorney.