Stories of Nurses Losing Their License

Nurses are some of the most influential people in the world. They help us when we’re sick, ensuring that we’re getting better. However, sometimes nurses do something that can cost them their license.

Nurses are held to high standards and are expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct. When they violate that code, they can be subject to disciplinary action from their state board of nursing.

That disciplinary action can range from a warning to a suspension or revocation of their license. If a nurse’s license is revoked, they will no longer be able to practice nursing and will have to find a new career.

Nurses across the United States are losing their nursing licenses at an alarming rate. A recent study by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing found that nurses who had their licenses revoked, suspended, or surrendered increased by 29 percent from 2009 to 2013. Most of these nurses lost their licenses due to drug and alcohol abuse, negligence, and Medicare or Medicaid fraud.

Suspension of the license can be devastating, both professionally and personally. It can lead to financial hardship and emotional distress.

Nurses can face several consequences after losing their license, including finding a new career. Hence all the education in nursing school and practical learning can be wasted.

If you are a nurse who has lost your license, resources are available to help you through this difficult time.

Check also: How to Pick Best Shoes for Nurses

Table of Contents

What Causes can Lead a Nurse to Lose their Nursing License?

Nurses lose their licenses for several reasons. It is imperative to know the cause because a journey from a nursing student to a registered nurse can get wasted by a single mistake. We have created a list to help you understand the potential reasons for nurses losing their licenses.

Stealing medication and supplies from the hospital
Incompetence
Drinking on the job
substance abuse
Assaulting a patient
Falsifying records
Neglecting her patients
Committing a serious crime, such as murder
Lying about their qualifications and experience
Sleeping at duty time

Alice Minkoff- Snellville GA

Alice Minkoff was a well-known registered nurse in Snellville, Georgia. However, she recently lost her license after being caught doing shady things to her patients and their records.

Minkoff had a pattern of making unauthorized changes to patient records, including altering medication dosages and pre-authorizing services that were not necessary. Her actions ultimately led to her losing her license and being referred for prosecution.

Many people find it shocking that such an experienced nurse could do something like this, but unfortunately, these kinds of things happen in the medical field. Minkoff is just one example of someone who was eventually caught and punished for their actions.

If you’re ever in a position where you have to entrust your care to a medical professional, always make sure to double-check their credentials and history to ensure that they are someone you can trust

Brandy Guerue – St Francis SD

Brandy Guerue was a nurse in St Francis, SD. She was known for her compassionate care and dedication to her patients. However, one day she made a mistake that cost her suspension.

She was caring for a very ill patient and needed constant monitoring. However, she became distracted and didn’t notice when the patient’s heart rate started to drop. By the time she realized what was happening, it was too late, and the patient died.

The incident sparked an investigation into Guerue’s care practices, and her license was eventually revoked. She has since left St Francis and may never be able to work as a nurse again.

Allison Krawza – Waconia MN

Allison Krawza was a nurse with a bright future. She was passionate about her work and had a knack for helping others. However, one fateful day, Allison’s career came crashing down when her nursing practice license was suspended.

It all started when Allison was caught stealing medication from the hospital where she worked. This was a severe offense, and Allison knew that she would be facing some serious consequences. She was immediately fired from her job, and her license was revoked.

Ryan Zappia – Beaumont, CA

Ryan Zappia was a nurse working in Beaumont, CA. However, she recently lost her nursing license after being caught stealing medication from her patients.

Zappia was working at Beaumont Hospital when she began stealing painkillers from several of her patients. One patient noticed that their medication was missing and filed a complaint with the hospital administration. They investigated and discovered that Zappia had been taking the opioids for herself.

As a result of this incident, the state board revoked Zappia’s license. She is now barred from practicing within California’s healthcare system.

Mark Hill – Edinburg ND

Mark Hill was a nurse in Edinburg, ND. He had been a nurse for many years and had a license to practice nursing. However, one day, Mark made a mistake that cost him his license.

Mark worked in a busy ward and was responsible for caring for several patients. One of these patients was elderly and frail and required a lot of patient care. Mark assumed this patient would be easy to look after, so he didn’t give him as much attention as he should have.

Unfortunately for Mark, the patient started to experience problems with his heart. He quickly became very sick, and it was clear that something needed to be done. Mark scrambled to get the patient’s help, but it was too late. The patient died, and Mark was devastated.

The patient’s family was understandably angry and complained to the nursing board. As a result, Mark’s license was revoked, and he could no longer practice nursing.

Taylor Johnson – Box Elder SD

. Taylor Johnson was a nurse at the Box Elder Hospital in South Dakota. She was an excellent nurse and had a passion for helping others. However, one day, she made a mistake that resulted in her losing her nursing license.

Taylor was working the night shift when a patient started having seizures. Taylor did everything she could to help the patient, but unfortunately, the patient died.

While it was a tragic event that no one wanted to see happen, Taylor felt she had failed the patient and his family.

She knew she wouldn’t be able to return to work until she had dealt with everything that had happened.

After some time away from her job, Taylor returned to work. However, she was no longer able to work as a nurse.

Audrey Kruse – Sioux Falls SD

Audrey Kruse, a nurse from Sioux Falls, SD, has lost her nursing license after being caught stealing painkillers from her patients. Kruse was caught on camera stealing pills from an elderly patient’s room. She has been charged with felony theft and is currently awaiting trial.

The South Dakota Board of Nursing suspended Kruse’s license after an investigation revealed that she took painkillers from her patients for several years. According to reports, Kruse would take pills directly from medication vials or use syringes to steal liquid medications from IV bags.

At first, Kruse denied the accusations, but she later confessed to stealing painkillers from her patients. In a statement, Kruse said that she was addicted to painkillers and had been stealing them to feed her addiction.

Kruse’s case is currently pending in court, and she can face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

How to Protect Your Nursing License?

There are several ways to prevent losing your nursing license.

First and foremost, always obey the code of ethics and standards of practice set forth by the nursing profession.
Next, keep current on your education and complete any required continuing education credits.
Additionally, document everything wholly and thoroughly, both in the patient files and your notes.
If you are ever questioned about your patient care, be able to explain your actions and reasoning clearly.
Finally, always take measures to prevent patient harm, even going above and beyond what is strictly required.

What are the Resources Available to Help a Nurse who lost her License?

If your nursing license has been suspended, don’t panic. Many resources are still available to help you maintain your career as a nurse.

One of the best resources available to nurses with suspended licenses is the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCSBN provides a wealth of information on its website about dealing with a suspended license. They also offer a free Nurse License Verification service, which can be used to check the status of your support and see if it has been suspended.

Another excellent resource for nurses with suspended licenses is the American Nurses Association (ANA). The ANA provides various services to its members, including legal assistance. They also have an online resource center that offers information on multiple topics, including dealing with a suspended license.

There are also many state-specific resources available to nurses with suspended licenses. The best way to find out about these resources is to contact your state’s Board of Nursing. Each state has different requirements for nurses with suspended licenses, so it’s essential to know your state’s requirements.

If you’re unsure where to turn, you can always contact a professional licensing defense attorney. These attorneys specialize in helping nurses with suspended licenses. They can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you’re taking all necessary steps to reinstate your License.

Is PTE accepted in New York for nurses?

Earlier this year, it was announced that nurses and healthcare professionals aspiring to work in the US can now take the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic. Successfully passing the mandatory English proficiency test remains a significant hurdle in applying for work in the US.

Conclusion

Nurse’s license can be suspended for any of the reasons stated above, and should consider seeking legal help. Many qualified attorneys specialize in helping nurses get their licenses back. It is vital to act quickly because there are time limitations for filing a petition with the Board of Nursing. Additionally, having an experienced nurse attorney on your side can make the process smoother and increase your chances of success.

Stories of Nurses Losing Their License – Reality behind Nightmare

What Causes can Lead a Nurse to Lose their Nursing License?