What Is A Nursing License Revocation In Texas?

A nursing license revocation in Texas is the most severe disciplinary action the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) can impose on a licensed nurse. When your nursing license is revoked, you lose the legal right to practice nursing in Texas. This means that you can no longer work in any capacity that requires a nursing license, which can effectively end your career in nursing.

If you are a nurse in Texas and you are worried about losing your professional license, the lawyers at Lype Dest Smith can help. A Texas nursing license attorney from our firm can guide you through the nursing license defense process. If your nursing license has already been revoked, our nursing attorneys can help you pursue potential license reinstatement.

When Can the Texas Board of Nursing Suspend or Revoke a Nurse’s License?

Nationwide, about 1% of nurses will face an adverse action against their nursing license. The process typically begins after the BON receives a complaint about the nurse’s conduct. The BON investigates the complaint, and if sufficient evidence of wrongdoing is found, it may discipline the nurse’s license. In the most serious cases this could include revoking the nurse’s license.

Here are some of the reasons for nursing license revocation in Texas:

• Criminal convictions such as crimes involving moral turpitude, drug-related offenses, or any criminal activity that directly impacts the nurse’s ability to practice safely.

• Being impaired while on duty or being involved in the illegal use or distribution of controlled substances. 

• Any instance of patient abuse, neglect, or exploitation, as well as gross negligence in providing care. 

• Engaging in fraudulent activities, such as falsifying patient records, insurance fraud, or lying on a nursing license application.
• Consistently failing to meet the professional standards of nursing care, or nurses with a pattern of unsafe practices.

What to Do If You Are at Risk of Having Your Nursing License Revoked or Suspended

Once a nursing license is revoked, it is permanent unless the nurse later succeeds in petitioning the Board for its reinstatement. The nurse usually must wait at least one year before they can pursue reinstatement. This waiting period can be even longer if the nurse’s license was revoked based on certain criminal offenses  

License revocation is a major setback. Besides preventing you from working as a nurse, license revocation can even impact your ability to be employed in non-nursing positions. License revocation often causes the Office of the Inspector General(OIG) to place the nurse on their exclusion list. Individuals on the exclusion list are barred from working for any entity that receives payment from Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federally supported health care plan. This means a revoked nurse cannot even work as a med aide for any health care entity that receives any kind of reimbursement supported by the federal government. 

If you are at risk of having your nursing license revoked or suspended, you need to act quickly and seek professional legal assistance. 

Here are the three steps you should take:

• Consult a Texas nursing license attorney for professional advice. They will represent you during BON hearings and help you handle the intricate legal process.

• Gather evidence such as relevant documents, patient records, witness statements, and any correspondence with the BON, which can help in building your defense. 
• If you are required to attend a hearing, your nursing license attorney in Texas will help you prepare your testimony and present a strong case in your nursing license defense.

Contact a Texas Nursing License Attorney Now

Losing your nursing license is a devastating setback that renders all the invested time and resources meaningless. If you are facing the possibility of nursing license revocation or suspension, act quickly to safeguard your professional livelihood. A Texas nursing license attorney from Lype Dest Smith can help you understand the implications of a complaint against your nursing license, or, if your license has already been revoked, guide you toward possible reinstatement. 

Contact us today at (512) 881-3556 and share your story with us.

Darrin Dest

Darrin’s practices primarily in the areas of administrative and health care law, with a focus on the representation of professionals in front of their licensing boards and credentialing bodies. Darrin formerly worked for the Texas Medical Board and currently defends licensees.

Years of experience: 15 years
Bar numbers: 24065146
Location: Austin, TX