When a nurse comes under BRN enforcement it means that somewhere along the line they have violated the Nurse Practice Act.  This can be done by any number of things from theft, drugs, alcohol, falsification of documents, neglecting to document, misdemeanor, felony, generally breaking the law in any way.  According to the Board of Registered Nursing (the governmental agency under the authority of The Board of Consumer Affairs), the ability for the nurse to provide safe care to the public becomes questionable, whether they were a nurse at the time of the incident or not.  A new graduate may be denied a license and begin the disciplinary process under the Enforcement Program if there is a record of a previous legal infraction.

A variety of things result when a license is investigated. The nurse’s license can be stayed or revoked.  If the nurse leaves the State of California, the license is tolled. The nurse can voluntarily surrender their license while seeking recovery or addressing legal issues.  The nurse can choose to request participation in the Intervention / Diversion Program. The nurse may choose not to participate in Intervention or may not be accepted into the program.  This will usually result in a 3-5 year license revocation after which time the nurse can request a hearing before the Board.  If the nurse shows sufficient proof to the Board’s satisfaction that what brought the nurse to the point of investigation will not occur again, the license may be reinstated.  At that time the nurse will be placed on an additional 3 years of Probation.  Although time frames are important to us, they become fluid concepts when going through this process.

The discipline of a nurse’s license is a frightening experience and suddenly the nurse is faced with a myriad of problems.  After a lifetime career many, for the first time, suddenly face unemployment.  Nurses who were once productive contributing members of society are unable to support themselves or those dependent upon them. Many seek work at minimum wage jobs.  Some lose their homes to foreclosure.  Many nurses become dependent upon State financial assistance and CalFresh food supplement programs.  The collateral consequences a nurse pays reaches far beyond consequences imposed at sentencing for nonviolent drug or alcohol-related offenses.  The financial costs imposed upon nurses by the BRN Intervention and Enforcement Programs average $500 monthly. These costs do not include legal fees associated in defense of the nurse’s license or the Board’s own investigative fees.  BRN Intervention and Enforcement mandated physician examinations, imposed chemical dependency programs, and required education reach thousands of dollars within short time frames stipulated by the Board.  While the names of nurses in Intervention / Diversion are shielded from public knowledge, the names of nurses in the Enforcement / Probation Program are publicly posted on the internet. Stress on family, concern of reputation among colleagues, friends, and family, fear of the unknown, and the fear of examining themselves add to the list of collateral consequences a nurse attempting to achieve recovery is faced with.

Discipline by the Board and the requirements to prove rehabilitation are generally the same for misdemeanors committed before going to nursing school as they are for being under the influence of mind-altering substances while providing patient care.  This disparity causes much confusion and frustration.  While legislation remains in effect as it is, it is encouraged not to compare yourself with other nurses in discipline but focus on your present moment and the solutions that bring you through the process.

There are many highly charged emotions that accompany Intervention and Enforcement. Grief can be enormous. There is the light of peace that can replace fear, anger, and sorrow. There is support for you.

Nurses are caregivers.  We give of ourselves and we help to save lives.  We are often the ones with the answers.  Being a nurse is part of our identity. Suddenly that is not the case. In many circumstances, we are no longer allowed to call ourselves Nurse. We are not accustomed to asking for help, yet while a nurse’s license is being investigated and under discipline, we need help because we lack resources and direction.  The language used in BRN legal proceedings and orders is foreign to us.  This leaves us feeling alone, isolated, and vulnerable.  This site is intended for nurses to share their resources with other nurses in an effort to remove the shroud of mystery that conceals pathways.  While no effort will be made to offer legal advice, resources and links will be provided as a guide to knowledge. The nurse will then have additional information to make their own informed decisions.

Please understand that if your license is being disciplined, you are not alone.  There is hope.  There is a solution.  If you need recovery, the hand of recovery is reaching out in love. It is imperative that nurses connect with each other for support.  On this journey, we find the ability to release shame, guilt, anger, and fear.  We learn to find peace, forgiveness, understanding, clarity, strength, and hope.  It takes willingness, effort, and perseverance to do that.  Reach out to each other for help.

There are many blogging websites that provide ample opportunity for nurses to vent frustration and anger.  While these are very real emotions and need to be addressed, it is respectfully requested that avenues other than this site are utilized for that purpose. Nurserequirementresources.com strives to maintain a positive atmosphere, sharing solution based suggestions, and resources for growth.

To quote one of our dear and much respected mentors, Dr. Stephen Grinstead, Onward and Upward we go!