I complained about an unsafe staffing situation and not only did I get written up, but my manager is trying to terminate me. Is there any law that protects me?
Question - Dear Nancy, I complained about an unsafe staffing situation, which has been occurring more..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Harriet, Your description of your problem at your place of employment certainly sounds retaliatory. Whether or not your state provides protection for someone who complains of... read more

I was dismissed from an RN program. Will my nursing credits transfer to another school?
Question - Dear Nancy, I was dismissed from an RN program. I am willing to move to another state. Wil..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Michelle, Contact the nursing education program you want to attend to determine the number of credits they allow for transfer and what courses can be transferred, should you ... read more

It is fairly common practice in my facility to take verbal orders from physicians. Does the person who takes the verbal order need to transcribe it?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am a nursing supervisor in a long-term care facility. It is my duty to notif..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Denise, The protocol for taking verbal or telephone orders should be developed, adopted and placed in the policies and procedures manual of the facility. Although variations ... read more

I was let go from my LPN position at a large hospital because of a restructuring of RNs. Some LPNs had positions created for them. Is this legal?
Question - Dear Nancy, After 15 years, I was let go from my LPN position at a large hospital because ..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Nellie, Your question contains two issues that can be discussed here. Initially, what an LPN can and cannot do is based on the state nurse practice act. Many states indicate ... read more

A position I have held for four years is now being changed and being posted. Do I have any legal recourse?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am a nurse at a private school and have a 10-month contract that ends in Jun..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Stephanie, Without a review of your contract with the private school, it would be impossible to evaluate whether or not you have any legal recourse in this situation. A speci... read more

I'm trying to get my license reinstated after a felony conviction. What are my chances of being licensed and employed again?
Question - Dear Nancy, I had been an RN in good standing since 1993. In 2010 I was convicted of a fel..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Ellen, Petitioning for the reinstatement of a license can be a complicated matter, especially when a criminal conviction was the basis for the suspension. Such a petition req... read more

Will an IV therapy course I took in one state be accepted for continuing education credit in another?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am an LPN, originally licensed in one state, but also got licensed in a diff..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Jeanette, The answer to your question only can come from the state board in the state in which you now practice and that now requires continuing education for continued licen... read more

In a situation where I feel my unit is understaffed, would I be legally responsible if a patient is injured while I am rendering care to another patient?
Question - Dear Nancy, I work on a rehabilitation unit in a small hospital. Often I am the only nurse..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Julie, There is no question that the staffing on your unit is inadequate. There are many resources to help you convince the facility where you work of this fact, including th... read more