Oklahoma Nursing Board Defense Attorney
A complaint to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing can put more than a nursing license at risk. For an RN, LPN, or APRN, a licensing investigation can threaten a career that took years to build.
At A Smart Defense, attorney Alexa Smart represents nurses facing investigations and disciplinary proceedings before the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Whether you have been contacted by a Board investigator, received a complaint, are facing allegations involving patient care or professional conduct, or have a criminal case that may affect your nursing license, Alexa can help you navigate both the licensing and legal issues involved.
PROTECTING YOUR LICENSE
Oklahoma Board of Nursing Investigations
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing investigates allegations that a nurse has violated the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act or the Board's rules. The Board's Investigative Division conducts investigations and presents evidence during Board proceedings.
An investigation can involve allegations concerning:
Receiving a complaint or being contacted by an investigator does not automatically mean that your license will be disciplined. It does mean that you should take the matter seriously.
PAUSE BEFORE YOU RESPOND
What Should I Do If a Nursing Board Investigator Contacts Me?
If you receive a letter, email, or telephone call from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, your first instinct may be to immediately explain what happened.
Before providing a detailed statement, participating in an investigative conference, or submitting documents, consider speaking with an attorney.
What you say during the investigation can become part of the Board's case. An attorney can review the allegations, help you understand what the Board is investigating, and prepare you to respond appropriately.
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
Nursing License Discipline in Oklahoma
Under the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act, the Board has authority to impose discipline for numerous types of conduct. Depending on the allegations and circumstances, Board action can affect a nurse's ability to practice and may include conditions or restrictions on the license.
Potential outcomes can include measures such as a reprimand, probation, supervised practice, suspension, revocation, administrative penalties, education requirements, or other conditions authorized by law. Recent Board proceedings demonstrate that discipline can include combinations of suspension, probation or supervised practice, educational requirements, and administrative penalties.
Oklahoma law also permits the Board to impose certain corrective actions in lieu of disciplinary action, including remedial education, an administrative penalty, or both. A corrective action under that provision is not considered disciplinary action.
BEYOND THE COURTROOM
Criminal Charges and Your Oklahoma Nursing License
A criminal case can create consequences beyond criminal court for a licensed nurse.
Oklahoma law permits the Board to take licensing action based on certain criminal offenses and other conduct identified in the Nursing Practice Act. Board proceedings have involved criminal matters ranging from offenses involving dishonesty to DUI and felony charges.
If you are a nurse facing criminal charges, it is important to consider the potential effect on your nursing license while making decisions in the criminal case.
At A Smart Defense, Alexa can evaluate the criminal case and licensing consequences together rather than treating them as completely unrelated matters.
STANDING BEFORE THE BOARD
Oklahoma Nursing Board Hearings
If an investigation progresses to formal disciplinary proceedings, the case may ultimately be presented to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
The Board has authority to conduct hearings on charges seeking disciplinary action. Its investigative staff may present evidence developed during the investigation.
A Smart Defense can assist with:
If you are an RN, LPN, or APRN facing an Oklahoma Board of Nursing complaint, investigation, disciplinary proceeding, or licensing issue, A Smart Defense can help you understand the process and protect the career you worked to build.
Contact A Smart Defense to speak directly with Alexa about your case.
ACT IMMEDIATELY
Emergency and Summary Suspension of a Nursing License
In particularly serious cases, the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act permits the Board to summarily suspend a license when the required Board officers determine that immediate action is necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare.
A summary suspension can occur before the ultimate disciplinary case has been decided. Oklahoma law provides for a subsequent hearing on the complaint following that emergency action.
Because the ability to continue practicing may be immediately affected, a nurse facing a summary suspension should treat the matter as urgent.
BEFORE YOU PRACTICE
Nursing License Applications and Reinstatement
Board issues do not arise only after a person is already actively practicing.
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing also handles initial licensure and reinstatement applications, and certain conduct can affect whether an application is approved. Recent Board proceedings have involved denial of licensure based on alleged misrepresentations on an application as well as disciplinary issues arising during reinstatement proceedings.
If an application raises questions concerning criminal history, previous discipline, or another issue that may affect licensure, legal representation can help address those issues before the Board.
WORKING WITH ALEXA SMART
Your Attorney, Not a Case Manager
When you hire A Smart Defense, you hire your attorney — not a case manager, not a junior associate, and not someone you have never met. Alexa Smart handles the legal work on every case herself: reviewing the evidence, building the strategy, and making the calls that matter, from the initial consultation through resolution.
Criminal charges are personal. Your defense should be too.
NURSING BOARD FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Board Hearings
Can the Oklahoma Board of Nursing investigate a complaint against me?
Yes. The Board's Investigative Division investigates alleged violations of the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act and Board rules.
Can a criminal charge affect my Oklahoma nursing license?
Yes, depending on the offense and circumstances. The Nursing Practice Act identifies certain criminal conduct as potential grounds for licensing action.
Can the Nursing Board suspend my license before my case is finished?
In certain circumstances, yes. Oklahoma law authorizes summary suspension when the statutory requirements for emergency action are met.
Does every Nursing Board complaint result in discipline?
No. A complaint initiates a process in which the allegations may be investigated. The existence of a complaint itself does not establish that a violation occurred.
Can a Nursing Board case be resolved without formal discipline?
Depending on the circumstances, potentially. Oklahoma law specifically authorizes certain corrective actions in lieu of disciplinary action.
Should I hire an attorney before talking to a Nursing Board investigator?
You are not required to wait until formal charges are filed to consult an attorney. Getting legal advice early gives you an opportunity to understand the allegations and potential consequences before providing a detailed response.
Serving Oklahoma City & Beyond
A Smart Defense represents clients in nurse board hearings cases across Oklahoma, from the Oklahoma City metro area and beyond including Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Midwest City, and the surrounding communities of central Oklahoma.
For serious nurse board hearings charges, A Smart Defense accepts cases statewide.