The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) was created by the Texas legislature to regulate the safe practice of nursing in Texas. It is the regulatory agency that issues nurse licenses to graduates of approved nursing education programs seeking licensure by exam and to nurses licensed in other states seeking Texas licensure by endorsement.
The BON also enforces the Nursing Practice Act (NPA) and Rule and Regulations “by setting minimum standards for nursing practice and nursing education, conducting investigations of complaints against nurses, and adjudicating complaints.”
Complaints & Disciplinary Action Against Texas Nurses
Complaints lodged against Texas nurses are investigated by the BON. When the BON finds that a violation of the NPA or Board rule occurred, it will then pursue sanctions. Disciplinary action handed down by the Board can include an order for remedial education, fines, warning, reprimand, suspension, probation, or license revocation.
Disciplinary Board orders are public information and the NPA requires that the Board inform the public about the disciplinary actions it takes. The BON must disseminate “information that is of significant interest to nurses and employers of nurses in this state, including summaries of final disciplinary action taken against nurses by the board[.]” Tex. Occ. Code § 301.158.
An Agreed Order, which is an agreed disposition of a complaint between the nurse licensee and the BON, is considered a Disciplinary Order and therefore is public information and also subject to BON public reporting requirements. Tex. Occ. Code § 301.463.
Disciplinary Board Orders can be viewed on the BON’s website. Patients, future employers, malpractice insurers, and any other parties of interest are able to review disciplinary actions taken against Texas nurses. The Board releases a Notice of Disciplinary Action quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
The July 2018 Notice of Disciplinary Action reported Board action taken against 216 Texas nurses, which included:
- License Revocation: 31
- License Suspended/Probate: 20
- Voluntary Surrender: 27
- Warning with Stipulations: 49
- Warning with Stipulations and Fine: 21
- Warning with Stipulations, Deferred: 7
- Enforced Suspension: 9
- Limited License: 3
- Limited No Controlled Substances: 1
- Remedial Education: 16
- Remedial Education with Fine: 7
- Remedial Education, Deferred: 3
- Reprimand with Stipulations: 19
- Reprimand with Stipulations and Fine: 3
Disciplinary action imposed by the Texas Board of Nursing against nurses is serious. If you are facing a complaint filed against you with the Board, it is critical that you immediately seek the help of a nursing license defense attorney. Even if you believe the allegations against you are unfounded, we urge you to consult with an experienced BON license defense attorney before responding to the complaint.
Hire an Experienced Nursing License Defense Attorney
If you have been notified of a complaint filed against you with the Texas Board of Nursing, BERTOLINO LLP can help. We are experienced BON license defense attorneys and we know how to navigate BON’s complaint process. We are prepared to represent you at any legal hearing or proceeding regarding your professional license.
Our Firm believes that immediately consulting an experienced Board of Nursing license defense attorney to review allegations of misconduct helps ensure the most favorable outcome in your case. Our results speak for themselves.
BERTOLINO LLP represents licensed professionals across the entire State of Texas. If you are facing disciplinary action from a professional licensing board, contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation.
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