Nurses dedicate their careers to providing quality care, which means facing the scrutiny of a nursing peer review can feel like a personal challenge on top of a professional hurdle. With that in mind, it helps to know what the process entails so you can prepare a strong response.
What Is a Nursing Peer Review?
A nursing peer review is a formal evaluation by a panel of licensed nurses. It is meant to determine whether a nurse’s behavior complies with the established standards of a practice, as well as its ethical guidelines and other workplace policies.
State nursing boards or healthcare organizations require peer reviews in certain situations. Most often, they’re conducted when a nurse’s actions may have put patients at risk, violated professional standards, or breached ethical conduct.
There are two types of peer reviews:
- Incident-Based: Triggered by a specific event or incident; evaluates whether the nurse’s actions were appropriate in that particular situation
- Safe Harbor: Initiated by a nurse who feels they were asked to do something unsafe or unethical
Both types of reviews aim to maintain the integrity of the nursing profession by making sure everyone stays accountable and follows safe and ethical best practices.
Common Review Triggers
Several types of situations can lead to a nursing peer review investigation. Some of the more common ones include mistakes with medication, complaints from patients or their families, violations of policies and procedures, unprofessional behavior, clinical errors, and ethical concerns.
Regardless of what triggers it, the consequences of a review can be severe. A nurse can face anything from mandatory retraining to suspension or even the loss of their nursing license. As such, it’s crucial to have an experienced nursing license defense lawyer by your side to protect your rights and interests.
When You’re Under Investigation
A nursing peer review can be daunting, but careful planning and a proactive approach that consists of the following steps can help you get through it:
Stay Calm and Collect Information
You might feel angry or upset when you get the initial notice of a pending review, but it’s important that you try to stay calm and focus on gathering the details of the case. Read over the letter carefully so you understand the allegations, the timeline, and what you’ll need as evidence. Check the deadlines so you can avoid any negative impacts on your case.
Know Your Rights
Every state’s nursing board has specific guidelines that dictate how their review investigations go. Generally, you have the right to the following:
- Be informed of the allegations in writing
- Access the evidence and records that are being used against you
- Submit your statement, evidence, and witness testimony that will support your case
Make sure to check on the exact specifics so that you can defend yourself effectively and keep the process fair. A nursing license defense lawyer can help you with this task and also represent you in the hearing.
Document Everything
The best defense in a peer review is to have as much proof as possible. You’ll want to collect and organize everything that might be relevant to your case, which might include documentation for patient charts and care plans, incident reports, emails related to your case, any notes you have on the situation, and supporting statements from coworkers or supervisors.
Keep a chronological record of everything, as well, and make copies of any letters between you and the review committee or your employer.
Talk to an Attorney
Hiring legal counsel is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself. A nursing license defense lawyer whose work focuses on defending nursing licenses is uniquely qualified to safeguard the rights of nurses facing disciplinary actions.
A skilled attorney can go over the evidence to find any gaps or inaccuracies that could work in your favor. They can also provide you with valuable advice on how to respond to accusations so your actions and statements are always in your best interests.
Furthermore, an attorney can represent you during hearings and negotiations. Ultimately, they are there to protect your nursing license from unnecessary harm.
Tell Your Side of the Story
When responding to allegations, work with your attorney to draft a clear, factual reply. Provide evidence that supports your actions and emphasizes your adherence to professional standards. Highlight the steps you’ve taken to ensure patient safety.
Additionally, always keep your tone objective. Avoid emotional or defensive language, as it can detract from your credibility. You want to present the facts in a way that aligns with ethical and professional nursing practices. Let your attorney guide you through the details to make sure your response is both thorough and professional.
Go to the Review Hearing
During the review itself, you’ll have a chance to present your side of the case. Be professional, respectful, and clear in your answers. Your lawyer can help you prepare for possible questions ahead of time so your statements line up with the evidence.
Remember: The panel’s goal is to determine whether your prior actions met the standards of the nursing practice. By presenting a strong defense, you can prove your dedication to ethical and safe patient care.
Tips to Avoid Future Reviews
No one wants to be put under investigation, but sometimes, it simply cannot be avoided. Nevertheless, there are a few things you can do to lessen the chances of it happening to you again in the future.
Nursing is a fast-changing field, so stay up-to-date on the latest standards. Also, make it a habit to document patient records thoroughly and accurately. Clear communication with patients, their families, and your coworkers goes a long way, too. It shows you’re working in everyone’s best interests.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t brush it off. Speak up. Addressing a concern early on can prevent it from becoming a bigger problem down the road. If you’re not sure how to handle a tricky situation, talk it over with your mentors, a trusted coworker, or your legal team.
Protect Your Nursing Career During a Peer Review
A peer review might feel like a blow to your professional life, but it’s actually a chance for you to show your dedication to your job and your patients. You can get through the situation when you have a better understanding of the process and the right legal support.
Facing a nursing peer review investigation can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The team at Unlock Legal understands how much your career means to you, and we’re here to help. With experience in defending nursing licenses, we’ll work with you to protect your livelihood and your future. Reach out to Unlock Legal today for a compassionate consultation and the support you need.
