“This letter is to inform you that the Missouri State Board of Nursing has received a complaint…” When a nurse receives a letter from the Board of Nursing beginning with that line, what should give you complaint anxiety?
Of course, receiving this letter creates anxiety. One of my goals is to bring your complaint anxiety level down. I do that by describing the long process that follows.
First, you do not need to constantly check Nursys. The Board notified you that a complaint was made. That only means you are under investigation. Some nurses feel compelled to check Nursys every day. However, the Board does not report investigations to Nursys. The Board only reports final discipline.
Second, your employer will not be notified of this investigation. You are not required to notify work. You may share, but many employers will terminate a nurse under investigation. Even if you are close enough with your super, who is fine with it, HR may not be.
Third, this is all about discipline on your nursing license. It is not a criminal case against you, therefore, going to jail is not an option. This is not a civil lawsuit against you, so there is no financial penalty, such as a fine.
Fourth, this is just the first step in a lengthy process. So, the bad news is this will be hanging over your head for many months, possibly a year or more. The good news is that while the process is playing out, there is no discipline on your nursing license. See my b[law]g on Nursing Investigations.
So, when does the Nursing Board report discipline to Nursys? When it concludes its investigation, in a majority of cases, a settlement offer will be made. If that settlement includes public discipline, then it will be reflected in Nursys (and the National Practitioner Data Bank) when accepted by the licensee.
If there is no agreed upon settlement, the complaint will go to hearing. Twice. If the Board decides to impose public discipline on your nursing license, it will appear after the disciplinary hearing.
I hope this post causes you to reduce your level of nursing complaint anxiety. Call me with your questions.