When a nurse pursues a career in healthcare, one of the biggest concerns that she likely has in the back of her mind is the potential consequences of her conduct. In particular, the question of whether or not a nurse can lose her license for harassment is an important one. Nurse license revocation and other penalties can have lifelong implications for a nurse’s career, so understanding the risk is a must for any nurse.
In this article, we will look at the background of nurse license suspension and revocation to understand the implications of harassment, review different case studies, provide a brief guide on reporting harassment, and answer some frequently asked questions about the process.
Background on Nurse License Suspension and Revocation
The ability for a Nursing Board to suspend or revoke a nurse’s license is granted to them under their respective state or province’s Nursing Practice Act. In the United States, each state and territory operates their own Board of Nursing, so suspensions and revocations are handled at the state/territorial level. In Canada, each province is responsible for the discipline of nurses, so license regulations are addressed provincially.
Regardless of the state or province, the Nursing Practice Act is clear that a suspension/revocation of a nurse’s license can be granted if any of the following scenarios occur:
- The nurse cannot safely practice nursing due to physical/mental health
- The nurse fails to comply with the applicable nurse practice laws in the state or province
- The nurse is determined to have caused patient harm
- The nurse commits a felony, misdemeanor or other offenses
- The nurse engages in professional misconduct (including harassment)
What Qualifies as Harassment?
In cases of professional misconduct, it is important to understand what constitutes harassment. Generally speaking, harassment is defined as any behavior that is intended to intimidate or cause emotional distress to another person. This can take numerous forms, such as unwanted physical contact, verbal threats or insults, or repeated attempts to contact another person when they have asked to be left alone. Each state and province will have different laws that determine what qualifies as harassment, so it is important to consult the Nursing Practice Act in your jurisdiction to fully understand the definition.
Can a Nurse Lose Her License for Harassment?
Given the context of the Nursing Practice Act, the answer to this question is a definitive yes. If a nurse is found to have engaged in acts that constitute harassment, her license can be revoked or suspended by the Nursing Board. Furthermore, discipline can be taken even when the nurse is found to have harassed someone outside of the professional realm. For example, a nurse engaging in harassing behavior at a sporting event or in social media can still have their license revoked.
Real-World Cases
The possibility of license discipline for harassment is no idle threat. There are numerous examples of cases in which a nurse lost her license for engaging in harassing behavior.
For example, in 2017, a nurse in South Dakota was disciplined for failing to “respect the rights and dignity of other human beings” after she was found to have harassed her employers and colleagues for many years.
In another case in 2018, a nurse in British Columbia was found to have engaged in unprofessional and harassing behavior with her coworkers, leading to the suspension of her license for 6 months.
In both of these cases, the ultimate penalty was a suspension or revocation of the nurse’s license due to their behavior. These cases demonstrate the reality that nurse license discipline applies to cases of harassment.
Reporting Harassment
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you suffer from or witness harassment, it is important to take action. As an initial response, it is important to document the experience and any other instances of harassment. If the harassment becomes serious, or if it happens to you, then it is important to contact the Nursing Board and report the incident. Different states and provinces will have different methods for doing this, so be sure to proper research to understand where and how to file a report.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The penalties for harassment can vary depending of the jurisdiction and severity of the harassment. Generally speaking, a nurse engaging in harassment can have their license revoked, suspended, or be subject to a fine or other penalty.
A: If a nurse is found to be harassing another nurse or individual, it is important to report the incident to the Nursing Board. Doing so can help ensure that the Nurse is held accountable and that other individuals are not subject to the same behavior in the future.
A: Harassment is any behavior that is intended to intimidate or cause emotional distress to another person. The exact definition of harassment is determined by the Nursing Practice Act in your state or province, so be sure to consult that document to understand what behavior qualifies as harassment.
In this section, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about nurse license revocation and harassment.
Conclusion
As a nurse, it is important to understand the potential implications of engaging in harassing behavior. License discipline can be imposed if a nurse is found to have harassed another individual, so it is important for nurses to be aware of the possible repercussions of their conduct.
If you witness or suspect that another individual is engaging in harassing behavior, it is important to take action. Filing a complaint with the Nursing Board in your jurisdiction can help ensure that the individual is held accountable and help protect other individuals from being subjected to the same behavior.
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