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How does nursing disciplinary action work? What are the types of disciplinary actions? This guide answers your questions about complaints against nurses and how they are resolved.
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Nurses are trained to always be mindful of safety and professional ethics. They are one of the most trusted professions in the country because of their high standards. This guide to nursing disciplinary action explains what happens after a professional lapse.
Almost all nursing misconduct is addressed through nursing disciplinary action from the state board of nursing or civil lawsuits. This is why the RaDonda Vaught case, which resulted in criminal charges from a medical mistake, drew national attention from nurses and nursing organizations. Many nurses protested and even quit after she was found guilty, alarmed at the criminalization of medical mistakes.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), nursing disciplinary action “affects the nurse’s licensure status and ability to practice nursing.” Because state boards are in charge of licensing, they are also responsible for investigating complaints. While nursing mistakes or misconduct may lead to other consequences, such as employer reprimands, terminations, civil suits, or criminal charges, nurse disciplinary action directly affects a nurse’s license.
In addition to suspending or revoking a nursing license, state boards of nursing may issue fines or warnings and possibly require a nurse to complete professional education as part of their nursing disciplinary action.
In 2021, there were 18,145 adverse actions against nursing licenses, according to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), affecting 140,859 nurses, 93,998 licensed practical nurses, and 9,002 nurse practitioners.
According to the NCSBN, this represents less than 1% of all nursing licenses.
Nursing disciplinary action consists of six separate phases.
