Sacramento Nursing License Defense Attorney

Experienced Sacramento Nursing License Defense Lawyer

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare world. It requires years of hard work and education to land any nursing position. After that effort, any threat to your position can be worrying. If you are currently seeking official nursing certification or are facing disciplinary action that may threaten your job, a Sacramento nursing license defense lawyer can help your case.

About Us

Century Law Group, LLP, is a boutique firm that has spent years representing nurses in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and throughout California. Our Founder, Edward Lear, was recently voted into the American Board of Trial Advocates, an honorary society made to recognize especially talented trial attorneys. In addition, Mr. Lear holds a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo and has been named a Super Lawyer consecutively for nine years.

Overview of Nursing Licenses in California

Nurses make up one of the largest groups of healthcare workers in California. The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) reports over 560,000 registered nurses (RNs), more than 45,000 nurse practitioners, and thousands of other licensed professionals. The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) reported 108,905 licensed vocational nurses in 2024.

It’s crucial to understand your legal options when defending yourself against allegations of misconduct, whether you work at Mercy General Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento, or another practice in the region.

Hire a Nursing License Defense Lawyer

Having your nursing license questioned is a high-stakes situation that can place your future career in question. While you can potentially represent yourself in all proceedings, it is recommended that you hire a nursing license defense lawyer. Understanding the full scope of a defense attorney’s role can help you see why their guidance is so critical in these situations.

Your Sacramento nursing license defense attorney can help you at every stage of your case, providing insight from years of experience advocating for previous clients. The following are a few ways a nursing license defense from our firm can assist you:

Accusations of Wrongdoing

Disciplinary cases begin with a formal complaint filed with the BRN or BVNPT. Common reasons for complaints include:

  • Negligence accusations
  • Unprofessional conduct
  • Fraud
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Criminal convictions

Once the Board has received a complaint, it will assign an investigator to your case. Your nursing license defense lawyer can help you respond to any allegations through written responses or in meetings with the investigator. At this stage, your response may be enough to close the case with no penalty or a minor citation and fine.

Preparing for a Nursing Board Hearing

If the investigation generates significant concern with the Board, they will send a formal accusation with details of your wrongdoing. Once you receive the accusation, you have 15 days to respond with a notice of defense and a request for a hearing, which your attorney can draft for you. Failure to respond within the given timeline results in a default decision and typically a license revocation.

A lawyer from Century Law Group, LLP, can assist you in creating a defense before your hearing and collecting evidence that disproves the accusation and shows your strength of character. Having experienced legal counsel at your disciplinary hearing can provide a strong defense and protect you against any false allegations. If penalties seem certain, they can negotiate a settlement that minimizes the impact on your nursing career.

Probation Modification and Petition for License Reinstatement

After the nursing board for your case has given its verdict, there are still options available to you. If you are on probation, we can help you demonstrate that the contributing factors to any misconduct no longer exist. If your license was revoked, we can aid you in getting it reinstated, showing that you have grown past your mistakes and are ready to return to nursing.

Best Sacramento Nursing License Defense Attorney

FAQs

How Much Does a Defense Attorney Cost for a Nursing License in California?

How much a defense attorney costs for a nursing license depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of charges, and the time your case requires. Terminating a probation early with clear signs of improvement is generally a cheaper case than one involving a defense against active accusations of gross negligence. Our legal team can provide a rough estimate for your legal fees based on your case details.

What Disciplinary Action Can You Receive as a Nurse in California?

The disciplinary action you may receive as a California nurse depends on the severity of the misconduct you are accused of. The penalties range from a citation and fine, a formal letter of reprimand, probation, suspension of your right to practice nursing for up to one year, or revocation of your license. If your license is revoked, the period you must wait can be one or three years, depending on the Board’s verdict.

How Can You Lose Your Nursing License in California?

You can lose your nursing license in Sacramento, California if you are reported for behavior or actions that violate the Nursing Practice Act. Accusations against you must be severe enough to warrant revocation. Some frequent cases include substance use that endangers you or others, inappropriate behavior with patients, unprofessional conduct, medical malpractice, fraud, and gross negligence.

How Is Unprofessional Conduct Defined for Nurses in California?

Behavior considered unprofessional conduct for nurses is defined in California Business and Professions Code Statute 2761. Examples include incompetence or gross negligence when carrying out nursing actions, conviction of practicing medical acts defined in the Medical Practice Act without a license, procuring a license through fraud, or impersonating another licensed practitioner.

Unprofessional conduct is not limited to actions included in Statute 2761, and it is up to the Board’s discretion to determine what is considered unprofessional conduct.

Speak With a Nursing License Defense Attorney Today

Century Law Group, LLP, has the knowledge and experience that can make a positive impact on your case. We can represent nurses of all types before their applicable licensing board, whether it’s the Board of Registered Nursing, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, or the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Contact us today for a consultation, where we can learn your story and discuss potential strategies to face the licensing board. You may also visit our Fair Oaks office, located on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

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