BY Jorie Zajicek
You’re a Registered Nurse and you've been interviewed by an investigator with the Tennessee Department of Health; now what?
Following an interview with an investigator, the investigator will begin preparing a report which will include all evidence collected, a summary of interviews, and recommendations. The report will then be handed over to an attorney in the Department of Health Office of General Counsel. Together with a consultant, the attorney will decide whether to proceed with formal charges, issue a warning, or dismiss the complaint administratively.
If the decision is made to proceed with formal charges you will receive a 4-5-320(c) notice and a consent order.
After being interviewed, it will likely take months before you receive notification of the outcome of the investigation. In the interim you should do the following:
- Hire an attorney. An attorney can properly advise you on what to expect and appropriate next steps.
- If able, continue your practice. Unless your license is summarily suspended, your license is valid and unencumbered during the pending investigation.
- If areas of improvement have been identified during the investigation, be proactive and take steps to improve.
- If the investigation was sparked by drug or alcohol abuse, seek appropriate treatment.
If you have been interviewed by an investigator, contact Ryan C. Davis Law, PLLC today for a free consultation with one of our qualified Nursing Licensure Defense attorneys.
