If you are a physician, your medical license is one of your most valuable assets. After all, what better represents years of dedicated training and signifies the trust patients place in your knowledge? For this reason, few things are more disheartening than receiving news of a potential investigation by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine (PA Board). However, it’s important to remember that an investigation doesn’t automatically lead to license revocation. Why is your license under investigation? If your medical license is under investigation, it’s probably because the PA board received a ..read more

The process of getting your nursing license is not an easy task. In addition to classes and clinicals, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, an extremely difficult test administered by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (the Board). Nurses are held to strict professional and legal standards, so it’s crucial to understand how a criminal conviction may result in the loss of their nursing license. High standards of ethics and trustworthiness The Board is responsible for ensuring that all practicing nurses meet the required standards of professionalism, competence and ethical conduct. Part of this ..read more

The relationship between doctor and patient is sacrosanct,  and it requires a high level of commitment and trust on both sides. While it’s never pleasant to tell a patient that you will no longer be their physician, protecting your practice and yourself from unnecessary professional liability is important.  9 reasons to end a relationship with a patient  Here are some common examples of when a patient relationship should probably end: Non-compliance: If a patient consistently refuses to follow agreed-upon treatment plans or medical advice, putting their health at risk Disrespect ..read more

Doctors owe a duty of care to patients. This means making an accurate and timely diagnosis and administering the appropriate medical treatment. The relationship between doctors and patients should remain professional.  In some cases, doctors may face accusations of having or forming an inappropriate relationship with a patient, which can put their professional license in jeopardy. When might situations like this occur?  Emotional relationships  Doctors can be fond of patients and vice versa. After all, the doctor-patient relationship is founded upon trust. Nonetheless, there is ..read more

As a nurse, the risk of facing disciplinary action from the State Board of Nursing is a concern you should be aware of, as it can have significant repercussions on your career and reputation within the healthcare community. You could face disciplinary action due to substandard medical care, violating scope of practice, a criminal conviction or drug abuse, among others. The Board of Nursing may impose various disciplinary measures depending on the severity of the misconduct and the impact on patient safety, if you do not successfully defend against any accusations that you may be facing. Licens ..read more

A professional license is one of the most important resources of many professionals’ careers, as it signifies their qualifications and ability to practice within their field. Not qualifying for or losing your license may mean losing the ability to pursue your career as intended, which can result in significant professional, financial and personal repercussions. Senate Bill 637 of 2020 lifted the restrictions on acquiring occupational licenses based on past criminal convictions such as prohibited drug use or possession. This means that licensing bodies in Pennsylvania can no longer deny an indi ..read more

Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals have to obtain licenses before they can practice. Ultimately, they are dealing with people’s well-being, so they are held to a very high standard.  When a health care professional behaves inappropriately, or even criminally, their professional license can be revoked. An example of criminal activity in the medical field is healthcare fraud. Accusations of this type can place a professional license at risk. Here are some of the more common examples of health care fraud.  1. Fraudulent billing  Medical professionals and providers must ..read more

Years of dedicated study, grueling exams and hours of practical experience gave you the title of pharmacist. It is a profession marked by responsibility, attention to detail and the sometimes heavy burden of maintaining patient trust. Unfortunately, even the most dedicated professional pharmacists can unknowingly step into treacherous waters that threaten their most valuable asset – the license to practice. Here are four common ways you may be risking yours. 1. HIPAA violations Patient confidentiality is sacrosanct in America. Of course, an intentional HIPAA breach could trigger a license inve ..read more

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) is a noble professional achievement that requires dedication, compassion and adherence to strict regulations. Frustratingly, even the most diligent individuals can make mistakes that may jeopardize their license. If you are a professional who has recently been certified to practice as a nursing assistant, it can help to understand the most common errors that could potentially lead to losing your CAN license. That way, you can better safeguard your interests as your career advances. Violating patient confidentiality Upholding patient confidentiality ..read more

One reason that a nurse could be in danger of losing their license is if they are accused of negligence. This happens when a nurse owes a duty of care to a patient and does not uphold that duty. Maybe they offer substandard care or perhaps they don’t provide any care at all. But what does negligence look like? A nurse may disagree with a patient’s family about what took place. Perhaps the nurse works in a chaotic hospital that is constantly short-staffed. They claim they were trying to provide adequate care but simply couldn’t do it – but they weren’t acting negligently. This can lead to some ..read more