NURSING BOARD DEFENSE RESPONSE

DOCUMENT PURPOSE

This template provides a comprehensive framework for responding to complaints and investigations by state Boards of Nursing. An effective defense strategy begins with a thorough, timely, and professional response to initial allegations.

PART I: CASE INFORMATION

Board Case/Complaint Number: _________________________________

Date of Notice: _________________________________

Response Due Date: _________________________________

Type of Proceeding:
☐ Investigation/Inquiry Stage
☐ Order to Show Cause Response
☐ Summary Suspension Hearing
☐ Formal Administrative Complaint Response
☐ Other: _________________________________

1.1 Nurse/Licensee Information

1.2 Attorney Information (if represented)

PART II: ELECTION OF RIGHTS

[Many boards require completion of an Election of Rights form. Complete this section as applicable.]

2.1 Hearing Election

I elect the following:

☐ Formal Hearing - I dispute the allegations and request a formal evidentiary hearing before an Administrative Law Judge

☐ Informal Hearing - I do not dispute the material facts but wish to present information regarding disposition

☐ Waiver of Hearing - I waive my right to a hearing and accept the board's proposed action

☐ Settlement/Consent Agreement - I wish to explore settlement options

2.2 Representation Declaration

☐ I will represent myself (pro se)
☐ I will be represented by the attorney identified above
☐ I request additional time to obtain legal representation

PART III: RESPONSE TO COMPLAINT/ALLEGATIONS

3.1 Summary Position Statement

[Provide a clear, concise statement of your position]

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

3.2 Detailed Response to Each Allegation

Allegation #1:

Allegation #2:

Allegation #3:

[Add additional allegations as needed]

PART IV: NURSING PRACTICE DEFENSE

4.1 Standard of Care Analysis

[If allegations involve clinical care/practice issues]

Incident Information:

Clinical Narrative:

1. Circumstances of Care:
   ___________________________________________________________________________
   ___________________________________________________________________________

2. Nursing Assessment:
   ___________________________________________________________________________
   ___________________________________________________________________________

3. Nursing Interventions:
   ___________________________________________________________________________
   ___________________________________________________________________________

4. Documentation:
   ___________________________________________________________________________
   ___________________________________________________________________________

5. Standard of Care Compliance:
   ___________________________________________________________________________
   ___________________________________________________________________________

4.2 Scope of Practice Defense

☐ Actions were within scope of practice because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Facility policies/protocols were followed as evidenced by:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Physician/Provider orders were properly executed because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Appropriate delegation/supervision occurred because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

PART V: SPECIFIC ALLEGATION DEFENSES

5.1 Medication Error Defense (if applicable)

Contributing Factors:
☐ Systems failure
☐ Inadequate staffing
☐ Similar packaging/labeling
☐ Interruptions during medication pass
☐ Equipment malfunction
☐ Inadequate training
☐ Other: _________________________________

Explanation:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

5.2 Documentation Defense (if applicable)

☐ Documentation was complete and accurate
☐ Late entry was appropriate and properly identified
☐ EMR/technical issues affected documentation
☐ Documentation met facility standards
☐ Other: _________________________________

Explanation:
_______________________________________________________________________________

5.3 Impairment/Substance Abuse Defense (if applicable)

☐ I deny any impairment
☐ I have enrolled in/completed a peer assistance program
☐ I am participating in monitoring program
☐ I have completed treatment
☐ Other: _________________________________

Program Information (if applicable):

5.4 Criminal Conviction Defense (if applicable)

Rehabilitation Evidence:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

PART VI: AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

☐ Statute of Limitations - The complaint is untimely because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Lack of Jurisdiction - The board lacks jurisdiction because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Procedural Defects - Notice/procedural requirements were not met because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Laches - Unreasonable delay in prosecution has prejudiced my defense because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Emergency Doctrine - Emergency circumstances required deviation from standard procedures because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Good Faith Defense - Actions were taken in good faith based on:
_______________________________________________________________________________

☐ Facility/Employer Responsibility - The facility's systems/policies contributed to the incident because:
_______________________________________________________________________________

PART VII: MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES

7.1 Professional History

7.2 Circumstances at Time of Incident

☐ Extraordinary staffing conditions
☐ Personal/family crisis
☐ Health issues (describe if relevant)
☐ First occurrence in career
☐ Other: _________________________________

Details:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

7.3 Corrective Actions Taken

☐ Completed additional training/education
☐ Modified personal practices
☐ Sought counseling/support
☐ Changed employment setting
☐ Enrolled in peer assistance program
☐ Other: _________________________________

Details:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

PART VIII: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

8.1 Document Checklist

☐ Curriculum Vitae/Resume
☐ Copies of All Nursing Licenses
☐ Specialty Certifications
☐ Continuing Education Records
☐ Employment Records/Personnel File
☐ Relevant Medical Records (redacted as appropriate)
☐ Incident Reports
☐ Facility Policies and Procedures
☐ Character Reference Letters
☐ Expert Nurse Consultant Opinion
☐ Treatment/Rehabilitation Records (if applicable)
☐ Drug Screen Results (if applicable)
☐ Other: _________________________________

8.2 Exhibit List

PART IX: WITNESS INFORMATION

9.1 Potential Defense Witnesses

9.2 Expert Witnesses

PART X: REQUESTED DISPOSITION

☐ Dismissal of all charges
☐ Letter of concern/guidance (no formal discipline)
☐ Continuing education requirement only
☐ Probation with conditions
☐ Consent agreement negotiation
☐ Other: _________________________________

Justification for Requested Disposition:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

CALIFORNIA

• Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) handles RN discipline
• Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) handles LVN discipline
• Government Code Section 11500 et seq. governs proceedings
• Nurse may petition for early termination of probation after one year
• Diversion Program available for substance abuse issues

TEXAS

• Texas Board of Nursing (BON) governs all nursing licenses
• Most investigations resolved in 6-12 months
• Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) available
• Eligibility and Disciplinary Orders posted publicly
• Agreed orders are common resolution method

FLORIDA

• Board of Nursing under Department of Health
• Probable Cause Panel reviews investigative findings
• Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) for impairment issues
• 21 days to request formal hearing after Administrative Complaint
• DOAH conducts formal hearings

NEW YORK

• Office of the Professions handles nursing discipline
• Education Law Article 130 governs nursing practice
• Professional Assistance Program available
• Three-year statute of limitations on most violations
• Hearing conducted by Board of Regents panel

VERIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, _________________________________, declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of _________________ that the foregoing response is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: _________________________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

Date: _________________________________

Location (City, State): _________________________________

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on _________________ [date], a true and correct copy of the foregoing Nursing Board Defense Response was served upon:

☐ Board of Nursing at: _________________________________
☐ Complainant (if applicable) at: _________________________________
☐ Other parties at: _________________________________

Method of Service:
☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
☐ Personal Delivery
☐ Electronic Filing (if permitted)
☐ Other: _________________________________

Signature: _________________________________

Date: _________________________________

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

1. Election of Rights Deadline - Failure to timely submit election of rights may waive hearing rights

2. Compact License Impact - Discipline in one compact state affects practice privileges in all compact states

3. Employment Notification - Check whether your employer requires notification of board investigation

4. NPDB Reporting - Formal discipline may be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank

5. Document Everything - Maintain copies of all communications with the board

6. Social Media Caution - Avoid discussing your case on social media

Template Version 1.0 - Professional Licensing Defense Series