BON License Applications

As new graduates are completing their applications for licensure, it is time to remind all applicants (and those nurses renewing as well) to be honest with the Board. I have found repeatedly that the Board's reaction is better when the nurse does not try to hide an incident.

Also, be very careful when answering the questions asked. If you are not sure if you should answer yes or no, please take the time to get competent advice. I have seen nurses end up with disciplinary actions because they answered no based on the advice of an instructor, an administrator and an inexperienced attorney. The deception to the Board was unintentional but it is still deception in the eyes of the Board and a disciplinary action is warranted--not how a new nurse wants to start their nursing career.

If your license application is still in the future and you have a criminal conviction (deferred adjudication etc.), it could be helpful to check with a criminal attorney to see if the criminal action could be expunged or sealed. Since the Board does not require a nurse to disclose an expunged or sealed incident, a nurse might be able to avoid a disciplinary action. Worth looking into.