Are You A South Carolina Nurse That Received Notice Of Complaint?
You have worked hard to build a profession as a licensed nurse. However, all of that hard work and dedication can be wiped away if you lose your license. Strause Law Group (“SLG”) stands ready to protect and defend your nursing license before the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing Regulation (“LLR”) and the South Carolina Board of Nursing (“SCBN”).
At SLG, we understand the anxiety our clients experience when their license is put in jeopardy. As a nurse, the importance of your nursing license and your ability to continue practicing in your chosen profession is of the utmost importance to our firm. Our experienced legal team fully appreciates the gravity of licensure investigations, potential discipline and the resulting potential collateral impact to your career and livelihood.
In South Carolina, the LLR handles all complaints against a nursing license.
Our firm has experience representing nurses facing allegations of wrongdoing, including but not limited to:
- Allegations of alcohol and/or substance use or abuse
- Drug diversion
- Inappropriate prescribing
- Positive drug screen
- Impairment on duty
- Breaching the standard of care
- Breach of patient confidentiality
- Employment and personnel matters
- Negligent or willful acts in a manner inconsistent with the practice of
nursing - Falsification of records/patient charting issues
- Patient abuse
- Criminal charges/convictions (misdemeanors, felonies and DUIs)
- License restoration
- Discipline in another jurisdiction
South Carolina requires certain healthcare professionals, including nurses and their employers to report suspected misconduct to the SCBN, even if the issue does not involve patient care. (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 40-33-110(A)(22), 40-33-111(A))). This applies to Nurse Practitioners (NP), registered nurses (RN), advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), and licensed practical nurses (LPN). Licensure complaints should be taken seriously regardless of the allegations because there are strict timeframes nurses must adhere to. If a complaint is reported to SCBN the LLR will initially review the complaint and determine whether or not to open an investigation. If the LLR opens an investigation and you receive a Notice of Complaint against your license, now is the time to be proactive because you are subjected to the legal process, both statutory and regulatory. SLG will work with the nurse in crafting an effective written response to a Notice of Complaint. This is your first opportunity as a nurse to defend your license.
Our firm will help you navigate the investigative process and stand by your side every step of the way to ensure you fully understand exactly what is happening in your matter.
Nurse Licensure Compact And Actions Against Your License
South Carolina is a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC permits nurses who are licensed in a Compact state such as South Carolina to practice nursing in a different Compact state even though they may not hold a license in that state. Whether a nurse practices in South Carolina only or multiple jurisdictions, a complaint can have far-reaching implications, which is why it is important to seek counsel from an experienced attorney that understands potential collateral consequences of licensure investigations and disciplinary action. Our firm makes it a priority to help and educate nurses to understand and weigh their options so they can make educated decisions concerned their nursing license and career.
First Step
We are dedicated to helping you protect and preserve your ability to practice nursing. Contact our South Carolina nursing licensure defense attorneys online or call 843-936-4846 to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your case.