I intend to be licensed in Maine as a registered nurse by examination. Maine is a Nurse Licensure Compact state meaning that a nurse obtaining their license in one of these states can practice in 39 nine states that are also a part of this Nurse Licensure Compact. In Maine, one pursuing a nursing license can complete and submit their application via web-based software. Due to the fact that I attend a university within the state, I intend to be licensed I will not require transcripts or sign-off from the director of the program. Maine requires criminal background checks as well as fingerprinting through this application process for licensure. One should wait close to their test date for the NCLEX to proceed with fingerprinting as these results only last 30 days and will expire after this date. Meanwhile, the criminal background check will stay up for 90 days thus, the individual can proceed with a criminal background check earlier than they can with fingerprinting.
From various presenters coming to our class, we have learned immensely about the disciplinary actions of nurses as well as the resources available to nurses within the state. For instance, one topic which was brought to our attention was addiction and the resources available to nurses who are struggling. As well as the importance of recognizing these signs in our coworkers and providing them with these resources or reporting their behavior to the appropriate leadership if they are unwilling to acknowledge this issue themselves. One of these resources was the Medical Professionals Health Program, which works closely with healthcare providers who struggle with addiction in hopes to provide a path to recovery and potentially practicing again one day. Although in nursing the goal is to help others, this does not stray away from lawsuits. Common legal problems correlate to informed consent, refusal of treatment, patient possessions and valuables, malpractice, negligence, abuse, unsafe practices, and mandatory reporting. How does one ensure safety in a litigious society? Well, one key component is documentation, without documentation, there is no proof that something had occurred. If one does not document that they had bathed a patient, ambulated, or turned, then it had never happened. Without documentation, there is no proof that something occurred. However, informed consent is not obtained by a nurse, but this is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure that informed consent was obtained.
