Artville You've read the article. Now tell us what you think. Boards of Nursing American Journal of Nursing Five-step process Disciplinary processes vary from state to state, but they share the same basic structure. Cases begin with a complaint of possible professional misconduct made to a state nursing board or another state agency. An investigator for the state performs an investigation and the case is either closed or the nurse is charged.
Most nurses accept settlement offers made by the prosecutors assigned to their cases.
A settlement offer specifies penalties that will be imposed in exchange for an admission of guilt. When misconduct charges cannot be resolved through a settlement, a formal hearing is convened, often before a panel appointed by the state board of nursing. Guilt is determined by a panel vote. Penalties range from a fine to license revocation, and are determined by the state nursing board. Other penalties may include censure and reprimand, probation, suspension or any combination of these.