No, and in fact, they may expect it. Nursing Board investigators will not assume you're guilty just because you hire an attorney. It’s actually a smart and responsible step. In many cases, the letter you receive from the Board will specifically inform you that you have the right to legal representation because the process can have serious consequences for your license and career. Hiring an attorney doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. It means you understand the stakes and are protecting yourself. The Board is there to protect the public, not to defend the nurse. Having a lawyer ensures you’re treated fairly and don’t unintentionally harm your own case.

Yes, absolutely. Many nurses mistakenly believe the Nursing Board is there to support and protect them, but that’s not its role. The Nursing Board exists to protect the public, not the nurse. Their job is to investigate complaints and enforce discipline, not to advocate for your career or your license. If you’re facing an investigation or complaint, it’s critical to have a qualified attorney by your side. Without one, you could unknowingly say or do something that harms your case, even if you’ve done nothing wrong. An experienced attorney ensures your rights are protected and helps you navigate a system that is often intimidating and stacked against you.

A: Don’t act on that advice until you’ve spoken with an experienced license‑defense attorney. Your manager may mean well, but they’re a nurse—not a lawyer—and self‑reporting can have serious, irreversible consequences. An attorney who regularly handles Board matters can: Assess whether self‑reporting is legally required under your state’s regulations (it isn’t always). Craft the report (if one is needed) in the safest way possible, avoiding wording that could be misinterpreted as an admission of misconduct. Build a strategic defense from day one, protecting your license, livelihood, and reputation. Remember, the Nursing Board’s mission is to protect the public, not the nurse. Before you make any statement that could impact your career, let a qualified attorney advise you. Getting the right legal guidance now can save you from costly disciplinary action later.

Technically, yes, but that doesn’t mean they should. Not all attorneys are the same. Just like you wouldn’t go to a dermatologist for heart surgery, you shouldn’t hire a general lawyer to handle something as serious as a Nursing Board case. You need an attorney with specific experience in representing nurses before the Board—someone who understands licensing laws, administrative procedures, and how to defend your professional license effectively. The stakes are too high to trust someone who’s unfamiliar with the process.

Through Bridge Referral Network. Bridge Referral Network carefully interviews, screens, and vets every attorney in our network to ensure they have the right experience representing nurses before licensing boards. We don’t just refer you to any lawyer—we connect you with professionals who truly understand the nursing profession and what’s at stake when your license is on the line.

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed or afraid when you receive a letter from the Nursing Board. These letters can be confusing, intimidating, and carry serious consequences. But doing nothing is the worst thing you can do. Instead, let a qualified, vetted attorney take over. An experienced license-defense attorney knows exactly how to respond, what to say (and what not to), and how to protect your license and reputation from the start.