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Nancy J. Brent, RN, MS, JD, Gannett Healthcare Group’s legal information columnist, received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and concentrates her own solo law practice in health law and legal representation, consultation, and education for healthcare professionals, school of nursing faculty, and healthcare delivery facilities.
Brent has conducted many seminars on legal issues in nursing and healthcare delivery across the country and has published extensively in the area of law and nursing practice. She brings more than 25 years of experience to her role of legal information columnist.
Complete the form below to ask Nancy Brent your question!
- I'm a school nurse. I think my physical location in the school is too public and can potentially lead to a HIPAA violation. Should I write a letter to the board of nursing about this situation?
- I was put on probation for allegedly divulging confidential information, even though I do not believe I violated HIPAA. What can I do about this?
- Is it legal to administer a standing IM antipsychotic medication PRN severe agitation to adults in psychiatric units against their will?
- Can a supervisor sign off on notes for a nurse who no longer is employed with a facility?
- I was let go of my job, and my employer cited the right-to-work laws as his reason to do so. How does this law work?
- A card of narcotics I locked up is missing, and I'm a suspect. Should I write a statement?
- Has a nurse ever been sued for cultural negligence?
- Is it a HIPAA violation to send a student's immunization record to agencies that request it?
- I am an RN, and my clinic’s chain of command is structured in such a way that an LPN did my latest annual performance review. How should I address this with administration?
- I was reassigned and given a 30% pay cut after being hired to manage a 10-year contract. Does my employer have the legal right to do this?
- Once I have received a “permanent” reprimand from a nursing board, can I do anything to change that status?
- A physician asked me to inappropriately administer sedation drugs and my director agreed, saying the doctor would be responsible if anything went wrong. I disagree. What do you think?
- My hospital is making the flu shot mandatory. If healthcare providers refuse to get the immunization, they must wear a mask at work or face termination. Is this legal?
- I moved from one state to another and had my CEUs audited by my former state. Now, the board is investigating me in my current state. How do I prepare for this investigation?
- I have been charged with petty theft. Will I lose my license if I am convicted of the crime?
- I am a retired LPN with an active license and would like to volunteer my services. Does my home state have any rules or regulations regarding my ability to do this?
- I refused to falsify medical records and was fired. I don't want to sue, but I do want to blog about this. Can I?
- I’m considering becoming an independent certified ACLS instructor, but I’m not sure how much to charge. Can you guide me?
- Several nurses have been terminated because of “documentation discrepancies." The grievance procedure is a joke. What can be done?
- Is it accepted practice to include the name of a healthcare provider in the medical chart as long as the provider's role in a patient’s care also is documented?
Ask Nancy Brent a Question
*Due to the sheer volume of questions received, Nancy Brent cannot answer every question or respond privately to any questions. All questions answered will appear on Nurse.com, and some may be printed in Gannett Healthcare Group publications. Last names and e-mail addresses will be omitted.
