The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), effective in Texas since January 2018, grants nurses the privilege to practice nursing in Texas and other eNLC states. The eNLC repealed and replaced the previous Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This new multistate license allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) to practice face-to-face with patients and via telemedicine, electronically or telephonically.
The eNLC’s allows nurses to have mobility across state borders, empowering them to increase access to care while maintaining public protection. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) and other states’ nursing license boards have a duty to protect the public. As such, an eNLC nurse practicing in Texas is required to abide by Texas laws pertaining to the nursing profession and BON rules. Similarly, an eNLC licensed nurse practicing in any jurisdiction must adhere to the local laws, rules, and regulations in place for nurses.
Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact Disciplinary Action
The BON has the authority to take disciplinary action against nurses it licenses. Nurses who are found to be in violation of a rule, regardless of whether the violation occurred in Texas, may be subject to BON sanctions. In 2018, five nurses were disciplined for violations regarding the nursing licensure compact. Of these, two nurses had their licenses revoked, one voluntarily surrendered her license, and two received a warning with stipulations. In 2017, twenty-eight nurses were disciplined for nursing licensure compact violations.
The Nursing Practices Act codifies what behavior and circumstances require or can lead to license suspension, revocation, and other sanctions. Reasons for BON disciplinary action under the eNLC, or previous NLC, are based on reasons for which a nurse would otherwise be disciplined with the added element that the nurse is either licensed in another state and practicing in Texas under the multistate license or is licensed in Texas and is found to have violated a law or rule while practicing nursing in another jurisdiction.
For example, the BON revoked the nursing license of Melissa Renee Bentley after the Board determined that she lacked fitness to practice vocational nursing. Bentley was licensed to practice in the State of Arkansas and through an NLC multistate license, was employed in Texas as a vocational nurse with Epic Health Services. After being observed sleeping while she was responsible for caring for special needs children, the BON determined that Bentley lacked fitness to practice vocational nursing.
Protecting Your Texas Nursing License
BERTOLINO LLP helps professionals, like you, keep their licenses when those licenses are under attack by a state agency or board. If you have a licensing issue or are under investigation by the Texas Board of Nursing, your license, reputation, and career are on the line. We understand that you have worked for years to become a licensed nurse in Texas. Our law firm can help you.
Contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation.
We represent licensed professionals across the entire State of Texas. Our honest, experienced nursing license defense attorneys will fight aggressively on behalf of your professional license and reputation.
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