License Revocation for Nurses

Do you need to consult with an attorney regarding your nursing license or other professional licensing matter? Call (503) 232-9280 to schedule a free consultation with a nurse’s attorney.

As part of their duties, state boards of nursing are responsible for patient care and safety.

In extreme cases, the state board of nursing will revoke a nurse’s license, which, in most cases, can signal the temporary or permanent end to that nurse’s career.

Your nurse’s license could be revoked for some of the following reasons:

Gross Negligence: If you repeatedly deviate from the standard of practice set for nurses, this can constitute gross negligence. Another example of gross negligence would be if you either failed to provide care or failed to exercise caution, when you knew (or should have been aware) that you might harm the patient.

Incompetence: Incompetence could be caused by a lack of skills or a lack of knowledge.

Criminal Convictions: If you’re convicted of a crime that relates to the duties, qualifications, or functions of a nurse, you could have your nursing license revoked. Examples of crimes that might result in a license revocation include: fraud, embezzlement, theft, child abuse, and spousal abuse.

If you have concerns that your nursing license might be revoked, please contact us! You have legal rights that you don’t want to forfeit without consulting an experienced nurse’s attorney.

The vast majority of disciplinary sanctions imposed by the nursing board in Oregon (including license revocations) are the result of a Stipulated Agreement. In a Stipulated Agreement, you sign a legally binding document that states you acknowledge the facts of the incident and violations of the law, you accept the proposed sanction, and you agree to the terms and conditions of the discipline.

If you sign a Stipulated Agreement with the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), the agreement will go to the board for approval. If the Stipulated Agreement is approved, a Final Order will be issued, and you’ll be stuck with the sanction that you agreed to which could include work restrictions.

The majority of nurses are not aware of this, but you have the right to reject the Stipulated Agreement, in which case a “Notice” will be sent to you from the state board of nursing. In essence, the Notice is the statement of charges against you, and you have the right to request a hearing with the OSBN. If, after your hearing, you don’t agree with the Board’s decision, you can appeal to the Oregon Court of Appeals and possibly even to the Oregon Supreme Court.

If you’d like additional information on nursing license revocations or would like to schedule a free legal consultation, simply call us at (503) 232-9280, or e-mail .

Please make note that we help nurses who are facing any type of disciplinary action from the state board of nursing, including: Letters of Concern, Reprimands, Probation, License Suspension, License Reinstatement, and Emergency Suspension Orders.

In addition to helping nurses in Oregon and Washington defend their licenses, nurse’s attorney Kevin Keaney helps nurses in Texas.