Losing your nursing license can seem like the end of the world. The first thing to remember is that your professional life and career is not over. There are a variety of great jobs available to former nurses that we will discuss. More importantly, you need to know what to do to protect your professional reputation. It is not too late to save your license. The Texas nursing license defense attorneys of Bertolino LLP are...
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A disciplinary panel for the Texas Medical Board temporarily suspended the license an orthopedic surgeon last month after a series of sexual assault allegations made by several patients. According to The Dallas Morning News, the board made a determination that the continuation of the physician's practice of medicine posed a "continuing threat to public welfare." The suspension was issued without notice and went into effect immediately. This action was taken after the physician's arrest on...
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The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) is a national clearinghouse of information about various adverse actions taken against health care providers. Hospitals, clinics, licensing boards and other entities may use this information when considering whether to extend practice privileges, job offers, licensure or other opportunities to health professionals. It's important to be aware of the importance of this databank, and what to do if you're the subject of a negative report. NPDB provides access to...
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According to a CBS News report, in the 1950s, only about five percent of workers needed a license. But today, 25 to 30 percent of workers now need a license to practice their trade. While occupation licensing requirements are traditionally the responsibility of individual U.S. states, Acting Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Maureen K. Ohlhausen, has said that the FTC should do more to limit this proliferation of licensing. Originally, licensing was about...
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No nursing professional wants to face allegations of wrongdoing from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Therefore, it's essential to be well-versed in BON requirements–to prevent some issues, and to better respond to others. Here are seven (7) crucial facts you may not know about BON allegations: If you see something, you must say something. Under Texas Law Section 301.402(b), licensed nurses are generally required to report misconduct by other nurses. If a nurse commits...
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You may have heard the saying that every crisis also presents an opportunity. Allegations against your license are a crisis, but they also present the opportunity to prevent similar problems. One powerful way to do this is a method known as the “5 Whys.” By asking “Why?” five (or more) times, you trace an event's causes and effects back to its root cause. Then, you attack the problem at the core. For example, begin with...
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Two bills recently introduced in the Texas legislature would allow advanced practice registered nurses to provide care to patients without physician supervision, as reported in the Austin American-Statesman. Senate Bill 681 and House Bill 1415 seek to address a significant physician shortage in Texas. As reported in the Statesman, one analysis found that 35 of Texas’ 254 counties have no physician at all. 20% of Texas residents–an estimated 4.6 million Texans–have no access to a...
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You spent years earning your professional license and you've worked hard to build your reputation. When your professional license is in jeopardy due to allegations of misconduct, your career is at stake. BERTOLINO LLP provides aggressive advocacy for professionals who are facing disciplinary action in front of a licensing board, agency, or commission in Texas. We help professionals keep their licenses. We have consistently won significant cases for doctors, nurses, lawyers, architects, pharmacists and other...
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If you are facing criminal charges and you hold a professional license, that license may be at risk. In a court of law, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty; however, this may not be the case with the licensing board. Further, generally criminal convictions must be disclosed to receive or renew a professional license. Good Moral Character Many licensing boards, including the State Bar of Texas and the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy,...
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Texans who work in law enforcement have a high calling: keeping our communities safe and maintaining order in society. We understand and appreciate that you have worked hard to become a licensed police officer or corrections officer in Texas. However, a single complaint can destroy your livelihood and all the demanding work you invested in building your career. If your law enforcement license is threatened by a complaint, it is imperative that you take immediate...
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