Georgia Board of Nursing Mandatory Reporting
On July 1, 2014 the Georgia Board of Nursing announced the implementation of mandatory reporting. The following incidents are required to be reported:
- Furnishing a fraud license to work as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered nurse or even a licensed practical nurse.
- Working as a registered nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse without having a valid or current license.
- Working as a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse when their license has been revoked, surrendered, suspended or lapsed for failing to review.
- Working as a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse through a an illegally or fraudulently obtained, issued or signed diploma, record or license.
- Using cards, signs, titles, words, figures, abbreviations or devices to prove that such people are registered nurses, licensed practical nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse unless the person is recognized or licensed by the Georgia Board of Nursing to practice under the Nurse Practice Act’s provisions.
- Willfully helping or abetting people violating the Nurse Practice Act.
- Previously or currently displaying the inability at working as a registered nurse, licensed undergraduate nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse with reasonably skill and safety because of the influence and use of narcotics, drugs, alcohol or chemicals.
- Having been convicted of crimes related to moral turpitude, any felony or crimes violating federal or state law in relation to controlled substances or dangerous drugs in the states’ courts, any other state, territory or country or in US courts including, but not limited to pleas of nolo contendere entered to the charge.
What need not be reported?
- Not accepting an assignment
- No call-no show
- Not completing a resignation notice or sudden termination
- Acting rude or having non-threatening verbal interactions with staff or patient
- Falsifying employment application except when the falsification is related to the licensure status
- Momentarily and unintentionally nodding or falling asleep, unless it’s a pattern of behavior or leads to patient risk or neglect.
- Protected information related to the nurse’s mental or physical condition which was obtained while providing care to the nurse
- Not following agency policy unless there’s a violation of Nursing Practice Act
- System issues which includes, but is not limited to:
- Staffing or work hour issues
- Old policy procedures which do not reflect the present evidence based practice
- Malfunctioned equipment
- Communication barriers with the physician or nurse
- Wrong assignment practices
Who has to make reports?
Any nurse which includes nursing colleagues, nurse administrators, nurse supervisors and other nurses have to report the name of any licensed practical nurse, registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse if there is reasonable proof that the nurse has violated any grounds for discipline provided in the Nurse Practice Act.
Do employers have to report?
Any and all employers of licensed, advanced practice registered or registered nurses have to report the name of any nurse who had resigned or whose employment was terminated to avoid termination for any reasons found in the Nurse Practice Act.
Do other regulatory bodies have to report?
State agencies licensing, registering or certifying hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes or other health care facilities, or who surveys one of these facilities or agencies have to report to the Board if the agency has proof that the nurse had violated any of the Nurse Practice Act provisions.