Assessing and Managing Sexual Misconduct

When a board of nursing (BON) receives a report of sexual misconduct, a process that can end in license revocation begins. The BON faces a series of decisions, beginning with the question of whether or not to open the complaint for investigation. A BON investigation requires a skilled evaluator who can interview pertinent people and assess the complaint. If the investigation reveals sufficient evidence, the BON conducts an administrative hearing with the evaluator, the person who reported the misconduct, the alleged victim, any witnesses, and the accused nurse. If, to protect the public, BON members decide to revoke the nurse's license, they may stipulate that the nurse can apply for reinstatement after a certain period of time and successful treatment.