I’m always interested in hearing advice from other nurses on how those in our profession can protect our license. Every nurse I have represented has said to me, “I never thought I would appear before the Board.” But “I don’t know” is not a defense.

I have my way to teach nurses how to protect their license but it is always a privilege to open our eyes and hear other people’s thoughts on the topic. I have been honored to review blogs from other people regarding their thoughts on license protection.

The first is from “RNEvolution” called “Protecting Your License.” at http://www.rnevolution.com/protecting-your-license/. This article offered very sage advice from the writer’s father, a retired orthopedic surgeon to another physician, on how to protect your license. The same will apply for nurses. She discussed six points which are so true.

1. Trust your hunches. Your gut is always correct.
2. If a patient makes you nervous, be careful. I always say friends don’t sue friends.
3. The thought is the indication. Take action because your thought is there for a reason. Do not second guess yourself.
4. Document, Document, Document. If it was not documented, it was not done.
5. Listen to your patients.

Another nurse’s take on how to protect your nursing license was from Erica McDonald, “The Self Employed Nurse.” At http://www.selfemployednurse.com/2014/03/20/protect-nursing-license/M Erica talks of how new nurses who enter the workforce, work hard at protecting their nursing license but, as time passes, become more relaxed. One of the most important points that she makes is to stand in your power and say “no!” She says recipes for disaster include nurses who work overtime when they’re dead on their feet and who work short-staffed.

She also made the point that you can always get another job but you can’t get another license. Your license is your livelihood and it is so important to protect it.

Lastly, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Jamie Davis of “The Nursing Show” on license protection. http://www.nursingshow.com/2014/02/14/nurse-lorie-brown-on-protecting-your-nursing-license/ I now get the opportunity to interview Jamie during our telesummit “Five Days To Nursing Empowerment.”

If you would like to hear more from successful nurses on the opposite end of protecting, that of empowerment, click here to sign up for participation in THE FIVE DAYS TO NURSING TELESUMMIT, a free week-long event for education, inspiration and motivation in the nursing profession.