Arizona Nursing License Defense Lawyer

Nursing License Lawyers Who Vigilantly Protect Your Rights

You’ve worked hard to become a nurse, it’s a challenging job–but worth it. That’s why it’s hurtful even to consider the possibility of losing your nursing license because of state board disciplinary action. If you’re facing an investigation or complaint from the Arizona State Board of Nursing, don’t wait to secure a nurse license defense attorney to help ensure that you don’t risk losing your career and livelihood. Many nurses worry that hiring a nurse license defense attorney may appear as an admission of guilt, but that should not be a concern. On the contrary, having a nurse defense attorney shows that you’re taking the situation seriously. The state board knows that if someone raises a complaint against you, your career and livelihood may be at stake. You’re fully entitled to professional assistance to protect it. Enlisting the help of a nurse license defense lawyer is mandatory in doing so.

Potential Arizona State Board of Nursing Disciplinary Actions

The Arizona State Nursing Board has the important task of ensuring that each person holding a nursing license or certificate is competent to practice safely. If a nurse is found in violation of the Nursing Practice Act, several disciplinary and non-disciplinary actions are possible. These include:

• Issuance of an Administrative Warning Letter
• Issuance of Decree of Censure
• Public Warning
• Probation
• Civil penalty
• Suspension
• License denial (applicants for licensure in Arizona, only)
• Revocation or voluntary surrender of the nursing license

Before you go searching online for a “nurse defense attorney near me” or “nursing license attorney near me,” contact one of the experienced nurse defense lawyers at Arizona Law Group.

How Does a Nursing License Defense Attorney Help?

By protecting your best interests during an investigation by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, an experienced nurse license lawyer is here to advocate on your behalf. The Board may begin an investigation into a nurse’s license when a doctor, hospital, patient, or an anonymous person has made a complaint with the Board, or if the nurse filed a self-report. The Board may also initiate an investigation if the nurse has been arrested or convicted of a crime. In this phase of the process, it is the Board’s job to investigate whether the complaint has any merit or whether the offense has any impact on your ability to practice safely. After the complaint is filed, the investigator will send a Notice of Investigation and questionnaire to you to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the allegations. This is the time you want to find a nursing license attorney near me. Once your response is submitted, the investigator will arrange a time to interview you. After the Board has all of the information at hand, they will decide whether to recommend disciplinary or non-disciplinary action. If you haven’t already done so, then certainly now is the time to find an RN license lawyer or nurse attorney near you. Before speaking with the investigator or completing the questionnaire, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced nursing license defense lawyer. The Arizona Law Group has significant experience defending nurses at every stage of the investigation process. We are ready to help you devise a solid defense and craft a response that presents your position in the most favorable light.

Can I Appeal the Board’s Ruling with a Nursing License Defense Attorney?

Yes, if you did not previously have a nurse license attorney advocating on your behalf, and your matter is not favorably resolved during the investigation phase, you are generally entitled to appeal. You have 30 days to request an appeal with an administrative law judge in the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings. As with the investigation phase, it’s vital to have an experienced nursing license defense attorney, such as those of the Arizona Law Group, to help you formulate and present the strongest arguments possible in your appeal.

Can a Nursing License Defense Attorney Help Following a Criminal Arrest or Conviction?

All licensed nurses in Arizona must report almost any misdemeanor arrest or conviction that might affect patient safety or any felony to the Arizona State Board of Nursing within ten working days after the charge is filed. As you can find on the Board’s website, reportable crimes include, assault, arson, theft, fraud-related offenses, abuse, neglect or exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult, sexual offenses, drug or alcohol-related offenses, and crimes relating to the abuse of an animal. If a nurse fails to disclose the criminal offense, the Board may commence disciplinary proceedings. Although a nursing license defense lawyer will certainly help you after an arrest or conviction, it’s best to seek help before that happens. Before reporting your misdemeanor or felony to the Board, call the Arizona Law Group to understand and explore your rights and options.

CANDO Program: Is This Option Right for Me?

Nurses who face challenges with drug or alcohol abuse can enroll in the “Chemically Addicted Nurses Diversion Option” (CANDO). This non-disciplinary, confidential program is designed to give nurses recovering from chemical dependency a strong recovery foundation and allow them to continue doing the job they love while safeguarding the public welfare and interest. The Board commonly refers nurses to this program who have self-reported drug or alcohol-related criminal charges, but an employer may also suggest it, or a nurse may self-refer. The program is very demanding but may be worth it to nurses determined to surmount their challenges while continuing to nurse. Participants must agree to many requirements, including:

• three years of monitoring
• attending mandatory AA/NA meetings
• attending nurse recovery group meetings
• random drug screening
• abstaining from all potentially addicting drugs, including alcohol
• certain work restrictions.

If you violate the CANDO agreement, the Board may undertake a range of disciplinary actions, from probation to revocation of your license. Before joining the program, you should speak to one of our experienced nursing license defense attorneys at the Arizona Law Group. We’ll help you better understand the benefits of entering the program and the consequences of violating its terms.

How Much Does a Nursing License Defense Attorney Cost?

Every case is different, that’s what makes it so difficult to define a set cost to defend nursing licensure. In order for you to get answers to all of your questions, we always suggest scheduling a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your particular case. We are here for you, don’t sacrifice your career for the sake of a simple misunderstanding. You cannot afford anything less than stellar representation at this critical time. We invite you to work with one of our nursing license defense attorneys near you at the Arizona Law Group to reach a successful outcome. Call (602) 548-3400 at your earliest convenience to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Nursing License Defense Attorneys Giving You a Powerful Voice

We know that facing an Arizona State Board of Nursing investigation can be a bewildering, stressful experience. You may be tempted to go it alone or even to pretend that the situation will resolve itself on its own. But these actions could put your license at even greater risk. The surest way to protect your license and ability to practice is to hire a skilled nursing license defense lawyer who understands the law and language of the Board process and who will fight for your interests. The Arizona Law Group has helped countless nursing professionals through the complicated and emotional world of disciplinary proceedings with compassion and diligence. We can assist at any stage of the process and know how to make the system work for you. It’s our goal to provide you with a vigorous defense and obtain the best possible result. Time is of the essence. If you have had a complaint filed against you, or have recently been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense, please contact us immediately at 602-548-3400. We’re here to help, and our legal team is ready to protect your interests.

Check out what Jeff had to say about us on Google:

“I worked with Colin Bell on a business licensing issue. He was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful dealing with a stressful situation. With Colin’s help, I feel I got the best possible outcome in the situation.” Jeff W., March 2021, Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐