Attaining and Protecting Your Professional Nursing License 

  1. I intend to become licensed by examination in Massachusetts, as this is the state I plan to practice in and is currently my legal state of residence. This is not a compact state, but I could see it becoming a compact state at some point in the future because it is surrounded by compact states.
  2. The application for Massachusetts, from what I can find, is web based and will require my official transcript. It is also required that I submit a Certificate of Graduation, completed, and signed by the administrator of the nursing program.
  3. The state of Massachusetts does require a criminal background check and fingerprinting prior to employment as an RN. Fingerprinting will then be repeated every 3 years, or sooner if you live out of state, have a break in employment, etc. One current fingerprint must be on file at all times to maintain employment. Fingerprints can be either ink and paper, or electronic fingerprints (more common).
    1. The Massachusetts State Board of Nursing has a number that you can call anonymously and report a nurse that you believe may be practicing while impaired. There is also a formal complaint form that must be filed with enough information to act on the complaint. Nurses are mandatory reporters, so if you suspect anything, it must be reported and then the board will evaluate the complaint and see if action is needed. One resource that is available is SARP (Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program), which monitors nurses’ compliance so they can safely return to nursing practice. This is not a discipline program, so it is used as an alternative.
    2. I will protect myself from legal issues related to informed consent, refusal of treatment, malpractice, negligence, abuse, and unsafe practice by first always making sure I am following hospital protocols. I will also carry my own insurance on top of the insurance that hospital must safeguard myself in the case of legal issues. The best thing I can do to prevent legal repercussions in my nursing practice is to do my duty as a mandated reporter and never doubt my instincts when it comes to reporting. I will also document every step of patient care so if a complaint is filed, I have written documentation of what occurred that day. I will take everything I learned from these guest speakers and direct this knew knowledge into my future career to be the best nurse I can be.

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