Issues before the Minnesota Board of Nursing take various forms. Call Attorney Fabian Hoffner for a free consultation.

Introduction:

The Minnesota Board of Nursing (BON) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and quality of healthcare services provided by nurses. When an alleged violation of the state’s nurse practice act occurs, the BON is called into action. Disciplinary cases involving nurses can be complex and diverse, and they often fall into several distinct categories. In this article, we will explore the various types of cases that the BON deals with, including practice-related cases, drug-related cases, boundary violations, sexual misconduct, abuse, fraud, and positive criminal background checks.

Nursing Practice-Related Cases: Practice-related cases involve breaches in the standard of nursing care provided to one or more clients. These cases typically stem from breakdowns or errors during various aspects of the nursing process. Common examples include:

1. Failure to assess changes in a patient’s condition.
2. Failure to implement appropriate or ordered interventions.
3. Failure to accurately document assessment information or nursing care provided.
4. Failure to follow the “Five Rights” of drug administration (right patient, right time/frequency, right dose, right route of administration, and right drug).

Drug-Related Cases:

Nursing Drug-related cases arise when nurses mishandle or misuse controlled substances, putting patients at risk. These cases may involve:

1. Misappropriation of medications intended for clients.
2. Failure to document or falsely document that medications were administered to clients.
3. Engagement in intemperate use of medications causing impairment.
4. Attempting to obtain drugs by communicating or presenting unauthorized prescriptions to pharmacies.

Boundary Violations:

Nursing Boundary violation cases occur when nurses form non-therapeutic relationships with clients for personal gain, often at the client’s expense. These cases demonstrate an over-extension of the therapeutic relationship into personal areas. Examples include:

1. Sharing personal challenges to entice gifts or money from clients.
2. Establishing gratifying personal relationships with current or former clients.

Nursing Sexual Misconduct:

Sexual misconduct cases involve inappropriate physical or sexual contact between nurses and their patients. These cases can range from purely abusive behavior to boundary violations that extend into unhealthy nurse-patient relationships.

Abuse Cases:

Nursing Abuse cases involve the maltreatment of clients or the public, leading to physical, mental, and/or emotional harm. Common forms of abuse include:

1. Hitting or physical assault.
2. Verbal abuse, including threats and insults.

Fraud Cases:

Fraud cases involve the misrepresentation of facts for personal gain or profit. Nursing-related fraud can take various forms, such as:

1. Overstating credentials or experience.
2. Claiming unworked hours or visits on payroll.
3. Falsely documenting care or procedures to increase billing.
4. Submitting inaccurate billing records to defraud insurance companies.

Positive Criminal Background Check Cases:

Positive criminal background check cases vary by jurisdiction but typically involve past criminal conduct that poses a potential risk to patients. The BON considers the degree and severity of the past criminal conduct and assesses the nurse’s risk to patients from future lapses in good judgment.

Conclusion:

Nursing disciplinary cases come in various forms, reflecting the diverse challenges that nurses may face in their practice. It is essential for nurses to adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of their patients. When violations occur, the Board of Nursing plays a vital role in addressing and rectifying these issues to safeguard the public and maintain the integrity of the nursing profession.

If you have a issue with your license before the Minnesota Board of Nursing call Attorney Fabian Hoffner today at 612-206-3777 or email fabian@fabianhoffner.com for a free consultation.