Nurses are paramount to the functioning of the healthcare system. As soon as they graduate, they are expected to uphold professional principles, guidelines, and standards, especially from the American Nurses Association. However, nurses face constant challenges in their day-to-day jobs. Legal issues may not be at the forefront of your mind when dealing with sick patients or emergencies, but they should be. Running into legal problems can put your license at risk as a nurse, which can hinder you from practicing again. This article will elaborate on practices that will help nurses stay out of a license defense case.
Seek Legal Advice Before Signing Any Documents
Suppose you ever get presented with any document to sign pertaining to your nursing practice; it’s important you seek advice from an experienced nursing license defense lawyer before signing it. Most especially when you are unsure of the meaning of the content, it’s essential to engage a lawyer so you’re in adherence to regulatory requirements, safeguard your licensure, and practice ethically. As a nurse, you may not have a comprehensive understanding of the legal terminology and implications of the contract or agreement. So, seeking legal advice first can help provide insight into potential risks and legal ramifications that may be associated with contractual agreements.
Practice Ethically and Safely
Another way to protect yourself as a nurse from a license defense case is by ensuring you uphold ethical and safe nursing practices. Simple tasks like prioritizing patient safety, exhibiting professionalism, and maintaining ethical conduct can save you a lot of legal headaches down the road. Common examples of ethical and safe practices nurses should imbibe include:
- Advocacy
- Beneficence
- Confidentiality
- Fidelity
- Informed consent
- Moral distress
- Respect
- Autonomy
Adhering to ethical practice on a daily basis will not only promote the welfare of your patients but will shield you from any potential legal liabilities.
Stay Up to Date with State Laws and Regulations
Furthermore, being current with the state laws and regulations is imperative for nurses in order to uphold compliance and maintain ethical standards. Every state has slightly different rules; in Texas, the Texas Board of Nursing oversees and enforces standard practices in the region. Failure to comply with these standard practices could result in disciplinary actions from its board of executives. So, regularly check for updates about the industry requirements to help you better navigate potential challenges and prevent legal issues that could jeopardize your licensure.
Adhere to your Employer’s Policies and Procedures
Additionally, it’s important you adhere to your employer’s policies and procedures as well. Every employer’s policies and procedure manual clearly states what’s expected from every staff. A hospital will never expect you as a nurse to carry out procedures a plastic surgeon performs. If you ever find yourself in a situation where your supervisor or anyone in the organization insists you perform a procedure that is outside the scope of your responsibility, it’s in your best interest not to. In the case of an unfortunate incident, you will be held liable for any damage caused, and your license will definitely be under review.
