It can be a frightening time when a complaint to the Board of Nursing leads to an investigation. While a complaint can come from many different sources, nurses are allowed to retain an attorney. With the help of a Winston-Salem nursing defense lawyer from North State Law, you may be able to stop the complaint from becoming a permanent mark on your record.
With an experienced nursing license defense lawyer at your side, you have the opportunity to defend against allegations and follow the process for clearing your name. When your license is on the line, having a strong defense is imperative.
While a complaint can be self-reported or made by patients, law enforcement, peers, employers, agencies, relatives, or made anonymously, not every complaint results in action from the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Some common reasons for complaints against nursing licenses are:
If the Board decides that it has jurisdiction over the complaint, it could result in an investigation, reprimand, or suspension of your license. In rare cases, you could be flagged in the Nursys database, causing damage to your reputation.
Hiring a Winston-Salem nursing license defense lawyer who understands the implications of these consequences is vital to saving your good name and rebutting questions about your trustworthiness as a nurse.
North Carolina is a mandatory reporting state, which means that any person who suspects a nurse is engaging in misconduct must report it to the North Carolina Board of Nursing. According to North Carolina Statute 90-171.47, as long as a complaint is made in good faith, the complainant is protected from both criminal prosecution and civil liability in Winston-Salem.
North Carolina Board of Nursing investigations can result in disciplinary actions or may be dismissed as unfounded. If a complaint is not dismissed, the following disciplinary actions may become part of your public record:
While you may request a Settlement or Administrative Hearing, and you also have an option to appeal the Board’s decision, hiring a Winston-Salem nursing license defense lawyer can help you navigate the complicated process.
While an investigator from the North Carolina Board of Nursing will request your prompt response to the investigation, we recommend waiting until you hire a nursing license defense lawyer. Every interaction with your investigator may be used against you. Having a skilled nursing defense lawyer who can counsel you on the appropriate information to share can save you from inadvertently stacking the case against you.
At North State Law, we stand by North Carolina nurses when they are in front of the North Carolina Board of Nursing for complaints, investigations, licensing issues, or disciplinary actions.
Our Winston-Salem nursing license defense attorneys are community-oriented, accomplished legal professionals with extensive experience representing nurses as they face the toughest accusations of their careers. There are only 121,477 registered nurses employed in North Carolina. In a field that is severely understaffed despite recent improvements, spurious complaints can be the last thing nurses need.
North State Law is here for you, whether you serve in one of the area hospitals, like Forsyth Medical Center or Medical Park Hospital, or in another facility in greater North Carolina. As licensed professionals, we understand how the threat of losing your license can be stressful.
Our nursing license defense lawyers can explain the complaint process, represent you at any Board of Nursing hearing, and, if necessary, represent you in court.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing must first decide whether the nurse’s action violates existing nursing laws (Nursing Practice Act) or regulations (North Carolina Administrative Code 21 NCAC 36).
Once they have decided it falls under their purview, they assign the complaint to an investigator who will, in most cases, notify the nurse of the complaint. It’s important to note that the sooner you hire a nursing license defense attorney, who can gather evidence on your behalf, the better.
The first thing a nurse should do after receiving notice of a licensing investigation or complaint is hire a nursing license defense attorney.
At North State Law, our Winston-Salem nursing license defense lawyers can walk you through the process of investigation and advise you on your next steps. You should also gather as much information as possible about your situation to help disprove the complaint.
Yes, a nurse can continue working while a license investigation is pending in North Carolina, and, in most cases, until the North Carolina Board of Nursing takes final action.
They may, however, decide to relinquish their license in some cases voluntarily. A nursing license defense attorney can present you with all of your options and advise you on whether giving up your license may be a beneficial choice for you.
Disciplinary actions are reported to NURSYS, the North Carolina Board of Nursing website, the National Practitioner Data Bank, and the Office of the Inspector General. Having disciplinary actions so readily available to the public can be embarrassing and may damage your career opportunities. Hiring one of North State Law’s Winston-Salem nursing license defense attorneys can ensure you have a chance to appeal your case before you lose your livelihood.
At North State Law, we vigorously defend our clients. While many cases can be settled before they reach the courtroom, we are committed and prepared to protect your interests there as well. Contact us today. Our legal team can also speak with you in Spanish.
Phone Number(919) 521-8810
© 2026 North State Law • All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy. Digital Marketing By: 
