CRNA | The Health Law Firm Blog

Nurses Fight for Lawmakers to Relax Laws Requiring Doctors to Oversee Their Work

By Carole C. Schriefer, R.N., J.D., The Health Law Firm and George F. Indest, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

There’s a controversial tug-of-war in the health care industry. According to The Washington Post, in 11 states nursing groups are pushing legislation that would permit nurses with master’s degrees or higher to order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and administer treatments without the supervision of a physician. Similar legislation is likely to be introduced in three other states. Currently, each state decides how much supervision nurses must receive from physicians.

This legislation faces strong opposition from physicians, led by the American Medical Association (AMA). […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|CRNA, Nurse Practitioner, Patient Care, Prescription|

Florida Nurse Practitioners Fight for Autonomy

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

On February 18, 2014, a bill that would expand the authority of nurse practitioners and would allow some to practice independently of physicians was approved by the Florida House Select Committee on Health Care Workforce Innovations. Despite opposition from physician groups, the bill (PCB SCHCWI 14-01) was overwhelmingly approved 13 to 2. However, some of that support might be fleeting.

To read bill PCB SCHCWI 14-01, click here.

Details of the Bill.

Currently, nurse practitioners work under the supervision of physicians. This bill would change the title of what are usually called nurse practitioners, which […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|ARNP, CRNA, Patient Care|

Learn How to Protect Your Nursing License

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:58-04:00May 15, 2018|ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Discipline, Nurse License|

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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:59-04:00May 15, 2018|APRN, ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, IPN, Nurse Aide, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, Patient Care|

Crack Down on Unlicensed Practice of Nursing by Florida Department of Health

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

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) recently made a presentation regarding its increased investigation and prosecution of the unlicensed practice of nursing and other health professions. More resources and more investigators are being assigned to this duty.

The Department of Health has more than doubled the investigators in the Unlicensed Activity Unit from seven investigators to nineteen recently. This dramatic increase in resources and staff has resulted in the investigation of more complaints than ever regarding unlicensed practice of nursing.

Weapon of Choice in This Battle: Trust Funds.

Florida has a dedicated trust fund to combat unlicensed nursing […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:59-04:00May 15, 2018|ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Department of Health, Discipline, Nurse License, Nurse Practitioner, registered nurse, Unlicensed activity|

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

By 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 […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:18-04:00May 15, 2018|ARNP, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Nurse Depositions, Nurse Practitioner|

Advice for Nurses Regarding Department of Health Investigations

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

We see and hear about a lot of incorrect legal advice being given to nurses regarding what they should do if they are being investigated.

The incorrect advice being given even includes mailings they may have received containing a brochure “What Every Nurse Needs to Know” published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It gives advice in response to the question: “What should you do if you are the subject of a complaint?” It advises the nurse to contact the Board of Nursing (BON) immediately in such an event and states that the complaint will be handled in a “fair and appropriate […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:54-04:00May 15, 2018|Administrative Complaints, Administrative Hearing, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Department of Health, Discipline, Insurance, Malpractice|

Two Recent Rulings Allow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to Administer Anesthesia Without the Supervision of a Physician

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

Recently, courts in both California and Colorado ruled that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are now allowed to independently administer anesthesia to patients without the supervision of a physician. In California, the decision came from the First District Court of Appeals on March 15, 2012. In Colorado, an appeals court allowed the same practice on July 19, 2012.

A recent article in American Medical News (AMN) summarizes these cases. To see the entire article, click here.

The Two Cases Come from a Decision Made by Governors to Opt Out of Requiring CRNAs […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:56-04:00May 15, 2018|CRNA|

Nurses: Locate a Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance Defense Attorney in Florida Company Cases

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

We are sometimes told by the health professionals we represent especially pharmacists, licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), massage therapists and physical therapists that after they received a complaint regarding their license from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) they had difficulty finding an experienced attorney in Florida who would accept their professional liability insurance. In this case, I am speaking specifically about Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance.

Benefits of HPSO Insurance.

The professionals who are covered by HPSO Insurance have excellent insurance coverage. HPSO Insurance […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:57-04:00May 15, 2018|Administrative Complaints, Administrative Hearing, ALFs, ARNP, CRNA, Defense, Insurance, Nurse Aide|

Nurses Service Organization (NSO) Attorneys, Lawyers and Defense Council in Florida

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

Often we learn after the fact that a health professional such as nurses, advance registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) and nurse midwives (NMs) has received Nurses Service Organization (NSO) insurance, has had a legal problem, and has not been able to locate an attorney or law firm that accepts this type of insurance. We have offices in Florida and Colorado, but we have attorneys licensed in Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Virginia and other states.

Additionally, we can provide legal advice and representation in license investigations and administrative proceedings in […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:57-04:00May 15, 2018|Administrative Complaints, Administrative Hearing, Board of Nursing, CRNA, Defense, Insurance, Nurses Service Organization|