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I intend to become licensed by examination in Maine, which is considered a compact state. The application is completed and submitted web-based only. The application requires official transcripts and verification sign-off by the director of the program. The state I intend to become licensed in requires a criminal background check and fingerprinting. I would need to go to www.maine.gov/boardofnursing and select “I want to” obtain a Criminal Background Check” and follow the instructions for fingerprinting. The results are only valid for 90 days, so it’d be wise not to complete this process too early. 

            There are different disciplinary measures for nurses. The corrective action can result in the nurse losing their license or still maintain it. A nurse can have a disciplinary action with sanctions and no restrictions, or with sanctions and restrictions like probation. The other forms of disciplinary actions result in a loss of the license, such as voluntary surrender, revocation, suspension, and immediate suspension, where there’s a hearing within 30 days. Revocation is the most severe form of disciplinary action. If someone’s license is revoked, the only way the nurse can work in the state again is if they retake the NCLEX-RN.

            On the other hand, if the nurse misuse alcohol or drugs, the state board of nursing may take action. If the nurse came into work under the influence, they would be sent home. If the nurse is stealing medications from patients, they can be criminally convicted. Another consequence can be that the nurse could be excluded from working in facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Being in the medical health profession, it’s not uncommon to have

            Some legal issues that may impact nursing and nursing practice can be protected by asking someone if I’m unsure about something. If a patient refuses treatment, I can ask why to get a better understanding and chart their refusal to protect myself. Regarding safeguarding my licensure, I can keep up to date with the nurse practice act for the state I work in and hospital policies to ensure I’m practicing within my boundaries. I can safeguard the client’s possessions and valuables by writing down what possessions the client has at the time of admission and keeping it where the patient’s possessions are usually kept with their name on it. Regarding malpractice, I can look at the nurse practice act for what’s within my scope of practice.