March - 2020

Reported to the Board of Nursing

About US

We are Nurse Advocates who assist nurses who have been reported to a Board of Nursing or licensing board. We work with clients who are represented by an attorney and those who are not. A Nurse Advocate who knows well the Nurse’s State Nurse Practice Act and associated Rules, Regulations, and Scope of Practice, will work alongside the nurse to help the nurse develop a strong defense. The Advocate assists the nurse to navigate the process so that the nurse will know what to expect and what is needed for the next step. The Advocate assists the Nurse in each step of the process. The Nurse Advocate assists with communicating with the Board of Nursing, responding to Board letters, and preparing for investigator interviews as well as preparing the respondent nurse for informal/settlement hearings. The Nurse Advocate further assists the nurse should they proceed into the disciplinary phase to respond to disciplinary orders, prepare for attendance at hearings, and help with negotiations with the Board. Throughout the entire process, regardless of length, the Nurse Advocate remains available to provide emotional support and answer questions. We are the Nurse’s Advocate.

Researching the applicable standard of care to rebut board charges;

Determining if your investigator is qualified by experience, and education to speak to the standard of care being represented (Investigators may not be experienced in your specialty or even nurses.);

Assistance in obtaining your board file and any evidence in the board’s possession;

Assistance in writing rebuttal letters;

Assistance with answering further correspondence from the board;

Assistance with formulating questions to gather information from your investigator;

Assistance with arranging either requested by the board or to support your defense such things as toxicology testing, polygraphs, or personality testing (i.e. MMPI);

Assistance with generally working up your case;

Assistance in preparing for an informal hearing;

Assistance in obtaining discovery and helping you get all discovery needed;

Assistance with preparing and filing motions and;

Preparing for State Office of Administrative Hearing trials and,

Locating expert witnesses to testify on your behalf at Administrative Hearing.

We do not insist you have an attorney if you cannot afford one, though we recommend you plan to hire an attorney in the eventuality your case goes to an administrative hearing. Finding yourself having been reported to the board of nursing is one of the most anxiety-producing and potentially costly experiences you will ever go through. There is, however, hope and help available. We are your advocate and guide you through every step of the process for an afforadale flat fee. We have assisted over 300 nurses come to a successful resolution to a board of nursing action against their license. We can help you along the way and though we do not make any promises as to a particular outcome, we have been very successful in helping nurses defeat charges against their licenses. We are dedicated to doing all we can to support you and assist you in dealing effectively with the board of nursing. Below is what nurses we have helped defeat an action against their license are saying about us:

“ With my unjust dealings with a nursing board ruling against me with impunity, I feel so blessed to have found Darlene Nelson. She had my back every step of the way, including helping me write my request for reconsideration letter to the board after their baseless ruling. I’m lucky enough to have had a positive outcome as the board capitulated and withdrew their ruling. I could not have done this without Darlene’s help.” Tom Maxwell

Darlne proved to be an invaluable asset after my ex-spouse tuned me into the Board of Nursing. She is very knowelegale of the Board disciplinary process and the Nurse Practice Acts. She handled my emotional state with respect and great care as well. She is an asset to anyone in the nursing profession who finds themselves in need of suppory and guidance through the process. I am forever, grateful for her. Jessica Bonol

Darlene really knows how to get a case moving and get good results. I reached out to her when my case had been open for over a year and was never even investigated. While I had already hired an attorney because I didn't know about Darlene beforehand, Darlene, she still gave great advice.. I took her advice back to my attorney who did exactly as Darlene said. Within a month an investigation was held and the case was dismissed. Thank you so much. I can breathe a sigh of relief. (anon)

When I first reached out to Darlene she was warm and welcoming. Before anything she told me about her story and her experience the whole process and what to expect. I was terminated March 8, 2022 for misconduct and since then my mental health has declined. Nothing ha happended yet but the anxiety I am experiencing I believe has a lot to do the unknown of the nursing board prrocess. I have nothing without my license. Darlnene has been nothing but a blessing and I am more than grateful that I found her. She has been supporitive and helpful to me. No matter what time of time day or night she made herself available to me even if it was just me freaking out over what if's. She made me feel comfortable from the first time I spoke with her. I felt 100% safe confiding in her and never once during our conversatiions did I ever feel like she was judging me . I higly recommend reaching out to her if anyone is or has been in a siililar situation. Jackie Fields

"I love being a nurse regardless of the challenges we face day to day. When I was falsely charged, reported to the board, and retaliated against I felt helpless and isolated. I had to remember that I'm wasn't alone and my license was hard earned. I wasn't willing to give up easily. I looked for an advocate who would fight with and I found Darlene. She has given me priceless advice, an ear to listen to my concerns, and an overall resource of information. Being a nurse herself, she understands what happens in nurse practice. I'm so appreciate for her help." DA

"Darlene and Associates have been an amazing resource while I’m dealing with the board of nursing. They literally are the first knowledgeable people who have listened to my entire situation while asking pointed and important questions. The Board has contacted not one person, not even me!, to see what the real story is. They have provided me with education on the process, a check list to make sure my lawyer has requested everything she has legal right to ask for, as well as codes backing up all of my decisions. I feel much more confident going in to my mediation and am planning on helping them see to it that the Nursing Board has appropriate oversight in the future to help other nurses. I can’t recommend these people enough. You NEED them on your side!" Michelle R