Nurses: Contact The Health Law Firm for Representation in Last Minute Depositions and Hearings

5 Indest-2008-2By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

We often receive calls from health professionals, including registered nurses (RNs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse midwives and nurse practitioners regarding the possibility of representing them on short notice at a Board of Nursing hearing, or at a deposition related to a health care matter.

We Take Last Minute Cases.

Many law firms refuse to represent a client at a hearing unless given plenty of advance notice and preparation time. We, also, always prefer to have sufficient time to obtain documents, review files, interview witnesses, conduct research and prepare, in order to provide our clients the best possible representation. But we realize that in certain cases, the alternative is that the client either gets legal representation […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:18-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Nurse Depositions, Nurse Practitioner|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Nurses: Contact The Health Law Firm for Representation in Last Minute Depositions and Hearings
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Traveling Nurses Must Have Appropriate Professional Liability Insurance

8 Indest-2008-5By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

We are often asked what we consider to be the biggest problem that a nurse has in defending herself in a complaint against her license.  In our opinion, it is not having the financial resources to retain the services of an experienced attorney to defend her.  Because of this, we believe that any nurse, especially traveling nurses working at a hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, assisted living facility, medical group, or any other organization must have her own personal professional liability policy that provides ample insurance coverage for professional license defense expenses.

Most Complaints Made Against Nurses are Filed by Employers.

In our experience, most of the complaints filed against nurse professionals come from employers.  In many cases, a patient will complain to […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Board of Nursing, Defense, Department of Health, Discipline, Insurance, Nurse License|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |3 Comments
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At Board of Nursing Hearing, Each Aggravating Factor Must be Supported by “Competent Substantial Evidence” or Discipline Is reversible on Appeal

The foregoing case summary was prepared by Mary F. Smallwood, Esquire, of The Administrative Law Section of The Florida Bar.

The Department of Health, Board of Nursing (“Board”) filed charges against Fernandez for administering medication to a person who was not his patient. The facts demonstrated that Fernandez had visited a friend in the hospital and administered a drug prescribed for one of his home health care patients. After an administrative hearing, the Board found that five aggravating circumstances justified an upward departure in the penalty provided for the Board’s guidelines to license revocation.

On appeal, the court reversed. While it found support for four of the aggravating circumstances cited by the Board, it held that one of the circumstances was not supported by competent substantial evidence. Specifically, the Board had determined that Fernandez’ actions had caused damage to the patient. The court found the only support for this determination was testimony […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:18-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Administrative Hearing, Board of Nursing, Discipline|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on At Board of Nursing Hearing, Each Aggravating Factor Must be Supported by “Competent Substantial Evidence” or Discipline Is reversible on Appeal
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Florida Bill to Expand Authority of Nurses Flatlines During 2014 Legislative Session

5 Indest-2008-2By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar   in Health Law

The 2014 Legislative Session ended May 2, 2014, with the death of an omnibus health bill. House Bill 7113 would have provided provisions to expand the power of nurse practitioners to work independently of physicians’ oversight. This extension of authority to nurses would no longer require them to contract with and pay a “supervising” physician. The bill died after being passed back and forth between the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate numerous times. It could not be resuscitated or kept alive by artificial means.

Currently, Florida nurse practitioners must work under direct supervision of physicians. The bill would have changed the title of nurse practitioners or advanced registered nurse practitioners. These are registered nurses with post-college education, usually a Master’s degree. The […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:19-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Board of Nursing, Nurse Aide, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, Nurses Service Organization|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Florida Bill to Expand Authority of Nurses Flatlines During 2014 Legislative Session
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How Can I Tell Whether or Not My Attorney Knows Anything about Florida Board of Nursing or Disciplinary Cases?

indest1By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Hiring an attorney can be intimidating and costly. However, hiring representation for a Florida Board of Nursing or disciplinary case is an investment in your future and career. An experienced attorney is indispensable for preparing and defending your case. But how do you know if your representation is knowledgeable in health law?

Below are some examples of what an experienced attorney will not say to a nurse about his or her Board of Nursing or disciplinary case. Remember, if you hear any of the advice below, the attorney most likely has limited or no experience in this area of legal practice.

1. Your attorney tells you that you can argue your case to the Board of Nursing.

Reason:

You cannot “argue your case” in front of the Board of […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Board of Nursing, Department of Health, Discipline, Nurse License|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on How Can I Tell Whether or Not My Attorney Knows Anything about Florida Board of Nursing or Disciplinary Cases?
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The American Nurses Association Breathes New Life Into The Nursing Code of Ethics For 2015

Headshot of attorney George IndestBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On a daily basis, the average nurse uses knowledge, training and ethical standards to make vital decisions regarding patient health. Nurses are required to quickly process simple and complex emergency situations, which leaves little room for second guessing. So, to help guide those in the profession, the American Nurses Association (ANA) created a Code of Ethics.

This Code is the structure that provides foundational standards and offers guidance to practicing nurses for various situations. It also sets the standards against which nursing performance can be judged. For the first time since 2001, the ANA has revised the Nursing Code of Ethics. The revised Code was released to the public on January 1, 2015.

Why Now?

The revised version of the Nursing Code of Ethics is […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:20-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Board of Nursing, Medicare Fraud, Nurse Depositions, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Law Blog, registered nurse|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |1 Comment
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Your Professional Nursing License May Be Your Most Valuable Asset; Insure It!

5 Indest-2008-2By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Suppose you had an item that you really wanted but was very expensive.  Suppose this item cost you $80,000.  Perhaps you took out a loan in order to pay for the item.

Suppose in addition to paying $80,000 you also had to work for four years and contribute four years of your labor to help pay for the item.  For this example, let’s assume your four years of labor is equivalent to an additional $80,000.  Once you can afford the item, you will have invested the equivalent of $160,000 for it.

In order to protect this expensive item, would you insure it?  If this item produced additional income for you, would you insure it?  After considering the price tag of the item, and knowing you […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:59-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Administrative Complaints, ARNP, Board of Nursing, Defense, Discipline, Insurance, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, Nurses Service Organization, Professional liability insurance|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |1 Comment
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Florida Board of Nursing Formal Administrative Hearings and Administrative Complaints

Formal administrative hearings are one of the options provided to a person who has significant interests that will be affected by agency action and who contests the material facts involved in the case. In the practice of nursing, we are usually discussing a hearing involving the professional license of the nurse. In many cases this will be a notice of intent to deny a license application; however, in most cases, it will be based on an administrative complaint filed against the nurse charging the nurse with a violation of the Nurse Practice Act or other misconduct.

The administrative complaint will usually be accompanied by an election of rights (EOR) form. Here is an example of an Election of Rights form.

It is extremely important that the EOR is filed (actually received) at the Department of Health within the time specified in it. We recommend that you telefax it in (keeping a […]

By |2024-03-14T10:01:54-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Administrative Complaints, Administrative Hearing, Board of Nursing|Tags: , , , , |Comments Off on Florida Board of Nursing Formal Administrative Hearings and Administrative Complaints
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Join Us for Florida Laws and the Nurse: New Licensure Requirement

Join Joanne Kenna nurse attorney with The Health Law Firm and the Greater Orlando Chapter of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants for:

FLORIDA LAWS AND THE NURSE – NEW LICENSURE REQUIREMENT:  Keep Your Patients Safe and Protect Your Nursing License

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this is course is to provide nurses with knowledge of the Florida Laws and Rules that govern the practice of nursing in Florida, while meeting the 2015 requirement for Florida nurse licensure and renewal; and to provide valuable information regarding the structure and purpose of the Florida Board of Nursing Disciplinary Process and how to protect your nursing license by providing excellence in nursing care.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose and provisions of the Health Professions and Occupations Statue, the Florida Nurse Practice Act and Florida Health Professions Regulations;
  • Describe nursing standards of practice and identify deviations in standards;
  • List […]
By |2024-03-14T10:01:59-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: APRN, ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, IPN, Nurse Aide, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, Patient Care|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Join Us for Florida Laws and the Nurse: New Licensure Requirement
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“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A.
The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2022 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.
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