Are you wondering if it is possible to discover whether or not a nurse has been placed under investigation?
If you answered yes to that question, rest assured that you have come to the right place.
There are many instances why a nurse might be placed under investigation, but it typically consists of investigating whether a nurse is fit to work.
When a nurse falls under investigation, there is a chance that they may get their license revoked or even be suspended from working as a nurse for an indefinite period of time.
That being said, it’s only normal that those practicing as a nurse should want to make sure they’re clued up on license investigations.
This is where we come in to lend a helping hand. To help settle any confusion you might have surrounding license investigations, in this guide, we are going to be taking a closer look at whether or not it is possible to find out if a nurse is under investigation, as well as what to do if you have been placed under investigation yourself (see also ‘Can You Be A Nurse With A Felony?‘).
Just read on.
How To Find Out If A Nurse Is Under Investigation
Before we get any further into this guide, we first think that it is important to point out that it is not possible to discover whether or not a nurse has been placed under investigation.
The only instance in which you would be able to discover this information is if you were the nurse being investigated. This is because of confidentiality rules surrounding license investigations.
That being said, while you might not be able to learn if a nurse is under investigation while it is still in process, if any disciplinary action is decided against the nurse being investigated – then this information will typically be placed into the public domain.
That being said, there is a chance that you might be able to discover if a nurse has been placed under investigation afterwards.
On the other hand, if you are a nurse that has been placed under investigation, then it’s important to note that you will be made aware that you are being placed under investigation.
As well as this, you will also be provided with updates throughout the investigation, as well as be notified when the investigation has come to a close.
Keep in mind, however, that policies for nurse investigation licenses can vary from state to state – so we recommend you do your own research, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you have a better understanding of what the rules are surrounding nurse investigations, we are now going to be answering some commonly asked questions. Let’s take a look at them:
If A Complaint Is Made Against A Nurse, Does The Identity Of The Reporter Remain Confidential?
This is one of the biggest questions that many people wonder. Regardless of which state you live in, you can rest assured that all complaints/reports made against a nurse will remain confidential, even if it results in dismissal.
How Long Does A Nursing License Investigation Take?
If you have been made the subject of an investigation, then how long the investigation will take will be dependent on a number of different factors.
However, on average, you can expect an investigation to take anywhere from 6-12 months, and you will be notified that you are being placed under an investigation.
Will Any Disciplinary Action Towards Me Be Made Public?
If you have been placed under an investigation as a nurse and it has resulted in a suspension or dismissal – then most nursing boards will take the decision to make the disciplinary action public information. Although, keep in mind that this can vary from state to state.
As well as this, you should also note that, in some cases, the decision might also be made to release any documents and records that may have been made during the course of the investigation.
Of course, remember that you always have the right to appeal if you genuinely believe a mistake has been made.
Are Nurses Allowed To See Records And Documents Of The Investigation Case?
Yes. If you have been placed under an investigation, then you will have the legal right to be able to access and view all records/documents that are made throughout the course of the investigation.
Keep in mind, however, that the only exception to this is any information that is not subject to disclosure. This includes information such as the identity of the person(s) who file a report about you.
As well as this, you should also note that even though you will have a right to view these documents and records throughout the course of the investigation, in some instances this information might only be made available directly from your state’s nursing board office.
Wrapping Up
There we have it. You have made it to the end of our guide! Now that you have taken the time to read through all of the information we have shared above, we hope that we have been able to settle any confusion that you may have had surrounding nursing license investigations.
Just to sum up everything that we have talked about above, it is not possible to learn whether or not a nurse is being investigated, as this information is totally confidential.
That being said, if you have been placed under an investigation, you have the legal right to know this, as well as the right to appeal any potential decisions.
If you would like some further assistance surrounding this matter, then we recommend that you reach out to the board of your state for further information on what steps you should take next.
Thank you for reading this, we hope that this guide has been helpful to you. Goodbye for now!