California Professional License Defense Lawyer

Sacramento, California RN & LVN License Defense Attorneys

There are two main types of nursing licenses in California:

• Registered Nurse (RN) Licenses and
• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Licenses

Registered nursing licenses are governed by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Vocational nursing licenses are handled by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Acts of dishonesty, unprofessionalism, gross negligence as well as criminal convictions may trigger a nursing license investigation. The California Board of Registered Nursing is especially sensitive to such acts including criminal convictions. A single misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) conviction is likely to cause the nursing board to seek discipline of a license. For a first time nursing license applicant this may mean denial of the application. For a nursing license holder such offenses may mean placement on probation and/or suspension or revocation of the license.

California’s nursing boards often seek to place licensees on probation for misconduct. Unfortunately for the licensee, the Board’s probation conditions are extremely restrictive and make it difficult to remain employed in the profession while on probation.

When the nursing board investigates a licensee or license holder the board will give the person an opportunity to submit documents on their behalf. Thereafter an administrative hearing may be requested by the licensee to contest any proposed discipline by the board.

The administrative hearing process begins with the board issuing either a Statement of Issues (for license applicants) or an Accusation (for license holders). If you receive one of these documents from the board, it is imperative that you get an experienced California nursing license defense lawyer like Jonathan Turner involved immediately. A response to these documents, including a Notice of Defense and Request for Discovery, must be filed with the Board right away.

Thereafter, the matter is set for hearing at one of California’s four offices of administrative hearings in San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacramento. Nursing license defense attorney Jonathan Turner has handled such administrative hearings all over California and is well-versed in the unique rules and laws related to administrative hearings which can be found in the Administrative Procedures Act within the California Government Code. Administrative hearings held before administrative law judges (ALJs) involve live witness testimony, documentary exhibits, subpoena power and a deputy attorney general representing the nursing board. It is vital that you have a nursing license defense attorney at your side during such hearings.

Following the hearing, the ALJ issues a written decision which the board may adopt or reject. That decision may include the denial of the nursing license as well as the license’s suspension or revocation. However, CA nursing license defense lawyer Jonathan Turner has had terrific success in getting his clients their licenses and making sure that they are not suspended or revoked.

If the nurse disagrees with the board’s adoption or rejection of the ALJ’s hearing decision, the nurse’s only real option is to file an administrative writ of mandamus (writ of mandate) in Sacramento Superior Court. Writs of mandate are extremely complicated legal instruments and should be handled by an expert such as CA nursing license defense attorney Jonathan Turner who is the rare California attorney with experience in filing writs against the nursing board as well as other California licensing agencies.

Whether you are an RN or an LVN you worked hard for your license. Do not let the nursing board take that license away and deprive you of your chosen profession without a fight. Contact California nursing license defense lawyer Jonathan Turner today.