Nurse License | The Health Law Firm Blog

The 25 Biggest Mistakes Nurses Make After Being Notified of a Department of Health Complaint

By Lance Leider, J.D.

The investigation of a complaint which could lead to the revocation of a nurse’s license to practice and the assessment of tens of thousands of dollars in fines, usually starts with a simple letter from the Department of Health (DOH). This is a very serious legal matter, and it should be treated as such by the nurse who receives it. Yet, in many cases, attorneys are consulted by nurses after the entire investigation is over, and they have attempted to represent themselves throughout the case. Often, the mistakes that have been made severely compromise an attorney’s ability to achieve a favorable result for the nurse.

These […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:55-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health, Nurse Depositions, Nurse License|

Crack Down on Unlicensed Practice of Nursing by Florida Department of Health

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida in Health Law

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recently made a presentation regarding its increased investigation and prosecution of the unlicensed practice of nursing and other health professions. More resources and more investigators are being assigned to this duty.

The Department of Health has more than doubled the investigators in the Unlicensed Activity Unit from seven investigators to nineteen recently. This dramatic increase in resources and staff has resulted in the investigation of more complaints than ever regarding unlicensed practice of nursing.

Weapon of Choice in This Battle: Trust Funds.

Florida has a dedicated trust fund to combat unlicensed nursing […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:59-04:00May 15, 2018|ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Department of Health, Discipline, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, registered nurse, Unlicensed activity|

Join Us for Florida Laws and the Nurse: New Licensure Requirement

Join Joanne Kenna nurse attorney with The Health Law Firm and the Greater Orlando Chapter of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants for:

FLORIDA LAWS AND THE NURSE – NEW LICENSURE REQUIREMENT: Keep Your Patients Safe and Protect Your Nursing License

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this is course is to provide nurses with knowledge of the Florida Laws and Rules that govern the practice of nursing in Florida, while meeting the 2015 requirement for Florida nurse licensure and renewal; and to provide valuable information regarding the structure and purpose of the Florida Board of Nursing Disciplinary Process and how to protect your nursing license by providing excellence in nursing care.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

Describe […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:59-04:00May 15, 2018|APRN, ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, IPN, Nurse Aide, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, Patient Care|

Your Professional Nursing License May Be Your Most Valuable Asset; Insure It!

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Suppose you had an item that you really wanted but was very expensive. Suppose this item cost you $80,000. Perhaps you took out a loan in order to pay for the item.

Suppose in addition to paying $80,000 you also had to work for four years and contribute four years of your labor to help pay for the item. For this example, let’s assume your four years of labor is equivalent to an additional $80,000. Once you can afford the item, you will have invested the equivalent of $160,000 for it.

In order to protect […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:59-04:00May 15, 2018|Administrative Complaints, ARNP, Board of Nursing, Defense, Discipline, Insurance, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, Nurses Service Organization, Professional liability insurance|

How Can I Tell Whether or Not My Attorney Knows Anything about Florida Board of Nursing or Disciplinary Cases?

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Hiring an attorney can be intimidating and costly. However, hiring representation for a Florida Board of Nursing or disciplinary case is an investment in your future and career. An experienced attorney is indispensable for preparing and defending your case. But how do you know if your representation is knowledgeable in health law?

Below are some examples of what an experienced attorney will not say to a nurse about his or her Board of Nursing or disciplinary case. Remember, if you hear any of the advice below, the attorney most likely has limited or no experience in […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|Board of Nursing, Department of Health, Discipline, Nurse License|

Learn How to Protect Your Nursing License

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Discipline, Nurse License|

Florida Woman Uses Forged License to Practice Nursing

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Florida woman allegedly used a fake state nursing license to pose as a nurse and then treat patients at their homes, according to the Lake County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office. The woman is accused of treating patients at least seven times, but the sheriff’s office stated there may be more victims. The fake nurse was arrested on September 27, 2013. She faces charges of working as a nurse without a license and using a forged state document.

To read the Orlando Sentinel article, click here.

This is not the woman’s first time in trouble […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|Nurse License, Patient Care|

Traveling Nurses Must Have Appropriate Professional Liability Insurance

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

We are often asked what we consider to be the biggest problem that a nurse has in defending herself in a complaint against her license. In our opinion, it is not having the financial resources to retain the services of an experienced attorney to defend her. Because of this, we believe that any nurse, especially traveling nurses working at a hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, assisted living facility, medical group, or any other organization must have her own personal professional liability policy that provides ample insurance coverage for professional license defense […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|Board of Nursing, Defense, Department of Health, Discipline, Insurance, Nurse License|

The Collateral Effects of Discipline on Your Nursing License

By George F. Indest, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A. A case involving an arrest or a conviction involving alcohol abuse (DUI/public Intoxication) or drugs (possession, diversion, theft, trafficking) will probably result in an emergency suspension order (ESO) until the entire licensure case is complete.

B. Client may be required to be evaluated and probably enrolled in the Impaired Nurses Program (IPN) (for nurses only) or the Professionals Resource Network (PRN) (for all other licensed health professionals), which is usually at least a five year contract.

C. Action to revoke, suspend or take other action against the clinical privileges and medical staff membership of those licensed health […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:57-04:00May 15, 2018|Board of Nursing, Defense, Department of Health, IPN, Nurse Depositions, Nurse License|

Detroit Nurse Will Spend Time Behind Bars for Signing False Medicare Claims

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Detroit-area registered nurse was sentenced on November 19, 2012, to 30 months in federal prison for his alleged part in a nearly $13.8 million Medicare fraud scheme. According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release, he will serve probation after being released from prison. He was also ordered to pay more than $450,000 in restitution, together with his co-defendants.

Click here to read the entire press release from the DOJ.

Nurse Paid Handsomely for Signing False Claims.

According to the nurse’s plea agreement, from December […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:56-04:00May 15, 2018|Medicare Fraud, Nurse License|