Posts Tagged ‘background screening for nurses’

Florida Nurses and Reporting Criminal History

Monday, September 10th, 2012

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS APPEARED ON THE FLORIDA BOARD OF HEALTH’S WEBSITE .  WE ADVISE ALL POTENTIAL APPLICANTS TO VISIT THE DOH WEBSITE AS IT IS CONTINUALLY UPDATED.

Question: What crimes or license discipline must be reported on the (Florida nursing) application?

 

Answer: All convictions, guilty pleas and nolo contendere pleas must be reported, except for minor traffic violations not related to the use of drugs or alcohol. This includes misdemeanors, felonies, “driving while intoxicated (DWI)” and “driving under the influence “(DUI).” Crimes must be reported even if they receive a suspended sentence. All prior or current disciplinary action against another professional license must be reported, whether it occurred in Florida or in another state or territory.

 

Question: Can a person obtain a license as a (Florida) nurse if they have a misdemeanor or felony crime on their record?

Answer: Each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The (Florida) Board of Nursing considers the nature, severity, and recency of offenses, rehabilitation and other factors. The Board cannot make a determination for approval or denial of licensure without evaluating the entire application and the supporting documentation.

Question: Do I have to report charges if I completed a period of probation and the charges were dismissed or closed?

Answer: Yes. Offenses must be reported to the (Florida) Board even if you received a suspended sentence and the record is now considered closed. Applicants with previous arrest or disciplinary action on a license will not be authorized to practice nursing until all documentation is cleared by staff or reviewed by the Board. 

This ends the information obtained from the DOH’s website.

This information should not replace the valuable and current information obtained from the above mentioned organizations. Always check with them to get the latest and most updated information.

Attorney Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Nursing if you are a Florida nursing student or a Florida nurse with licensing issues. To speak to a lawyer regarding your nursing license please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

 

 

 

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Can You Become Licensed as a Nurse in Florida After Being Convicted of a Crime?

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

Our office is often asked if an application for becoming a nurse in the State of Florida can be approved if the applicant has been convicted of a crime, whether it be a misdemeanor or a felony.  The Florida Board of Nursing evaluates each applicant for a license and looks at the application on a case-by-case basis.  The Board will look at how recent the offense occurred, the nature of the offense and how severe it was.  The Board is also looking to see what rehabilitation has occured.  The Board looks at the application as a whole, plus any supporting documentation, before they can decide whether or not to approve or deny the applicant.

If the applicant has a criminal history or has been diciplined, The Florida Board of Nursing will encourage the applicant to be completely prepared with all of the information regarding their background.  It is highly recommended starting the application process early.

All applicants in the State of Florida who have had previous arrests or disciplinary actions on their licenses will not be authorized to practice nursing in the State of Florida until all documentation is reviewed by the Florida Board of Nursing or cleared by Board staff. 

For all updated information go to Florida Department of Health’s Nursing Division on their website.

If you are a Florida nursing student or a Florida nurse with licensing issues, Attorney Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Nursing. If you need to speak to a lawyer regarding your nursing license please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

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Florida’s Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN)

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

The following information appears on Florida’s Department of Health website:

Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) was established in 1984 through legislative action to ensure public health and safety through a program that provides close monitoring of nurses who are unsafe to practice due to impairment as a result of misuse or abuse of alcohol or drugs, or both, or due to a mental or physical condition which could affect the licensee’s ability to practice with skill and safety.

If you are interested in additional information on Florida’s impaired practitioner program for nurses, formally known as the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN), you may contact

Mailing Address:
Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN)
P.O. Box 49130 | Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240-9130

Toll Free:
800.840.2720

End of  information from the Florida Department of Health website.

Attorney Lars Soreide, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Nursing regarding licensing issues. To speak to an attorney, please call: (888)760-6552 or visit our website at: ww.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

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Florida Board of Nursing 2011 Dates and Locations

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

May 13, 2011
Meeting and Long-range Policy Planning Session: Orlando    
Rosen Shingle Creek
9939 Universal Boulevard | Orlando 32819
(407) 996- 9939
Agenda Deadline: April 13, 2011

June 1-3, 2011
Embassy Suites Jacksonville Baymeadows
9300 Baymeadows Road | Jacksonville 32256
(904) 731-3555
Agenda Deadline: May 3, 2011

August 3-5, 2011
Embassy Suites – USF/Busch Gardens
3705 Spectrum Boulevard | Tampa 33612
(813) 977-7066
Agenda Deadline: July 7, 2011

October 5-7, 2011
Embassy Suites Jacksonville Baymeadows
9300 Baymeadows Road | Jacksonville 32256
(904) 731-3555
Agenda Deadline: September 9, 2011

November 30 – December 2, 2011
Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hotel
1870 Griffin Road | Dania Beach 33004
(954) 920-3300
Agenda Deadline: November 1, 2011

This information was obtained on the Florida Department of Health’s website.  These dates and locations are subject to change.  Also, the Board will notify applicants and licensees of their required appearances. 

If you are a Florida RN, LPN or CNA or a Florida nursing student with licensing issues, Soreide Law Group, PLLC, represents nurses in disciplinary hearings in front of the Florida Department of Nursing.  If you need to speak to a lawyer regarding your nursing license please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

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Exemptions for Florida RNs, LPNs and CNAs

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

On Florida’s Department of Health’s website it states that background screening for employment purposes may be required for the Registered Nurse (RN), License Practical Nurse (LPN) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) depending on their place of employment. It is the responsibility of the employer to meet this requirement. When this screening is required, it is pursuant to Florida Statute 435.

Exemption

The RN, LPN or CNA may apply for an exemption hearing/review. This is a request for the Department of Health to review the applicant’s total background to determine if an exemption can be granted. The RN, LPN or CNA must provide information about his criminal history, employment history, rehabilitation, reference letters, probation notices, and whatever else may be pertinent.

Posted on the Florida Agency for Health Care  Administration website was the following information.

A person is not eligible to apply for an Exemption from Disqualification until:
o He/she has been lawfully released from confinement, probation or other sanction for a disqualifying misdemeanor criminal offense;
o At least 3 years after he/she has been lawfully released from confinement, probation or other sanction for a disqualifying felony criminal offense.
o Persons designated as sexual predators, sexual offenders or career offenders are not eligible for an Exemption from Disqualification.

Who must apply for an exemption?
Any individual employed or seeking employment with a health care provider licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration that has been notified by the employer that they have:
  • been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to any of the criminal offenses listed in sections 435.03(2) , 435.04(2), and 408.809 Florida Statutes.
The health care providers that may require you to have an exemption in order to work are:
Adult Day Care Center Health Care Services Pool Nurse Registry
Adult Family Care Home Home Health Agency Nursing Homes
Assisted Living Facility Home Medical Equipment Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care
Community Mental Health Homemaker/Companion Service Residential Treatment Facility/Center
Crisis Stabilization Unit Hospice  
Health Care Clinic ICF/DD
If you are a Florida RN, LPN or CNA or a Florida nursing student with licensing issues, Soreide Law Group, PLLC, represents nurses in disciplinary hearings in front of the Florida Department of Nursing.  If you need to speak to a lawyer regarding your nursing license please call: (888) 760-6552, or visit our website at www.floridaprofessionallicense.com.

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