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The Investigative Process

Kansas State Board of Nursing

KSBN is a regulatory agency that licenses Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Licensed Mental Health Technicians. The role of KSBN is to protect the citizens of Kansas. The regulatory process and licensing assures citizens of Kansas that nurses and licensed mental health technicians have met minimum competence requirements. Testing establishes minimum competence. Statutes and regulations found in the Kansas Nurse Practice Act (KNPA) define your scope of practice and outline unacceptable conduct. There are actions for which your license may be called into question. When a licensee’s conduct is questioned, KSBN has authority to investigate and collect information. If a sworn complaint is received KSBN is required to investigate you.

How Do Investigations Start?

Most reports received by KSBN come from employers as a result of the peer review process under the Risk Management Act. Employers must report to KSBN any nursing actions that fall below the standard of care. These acts must have a reasonable probability of causing injury to a patient. They must also report any actions that may be a ground for discipline. Reports can originate from any source. Other sources include the court system, law enforcement, newspapers, TV or radio reports, patients, neighbors, relatives, other agencies, individual health care providers, etc. By law the agency may not/does not identify any reporters or sources.

Who Investigates Me?

KSBN staff includes investigators who are licensed nurses. Cases are assigned to these investigators.

What Happens If I Apply During An Investigation?

We receive applications for initial licensure, endorsement, renewal and reinstatement. Your completed application is a request for an order or a license. KSBN must acknowledge receipt and status of your application within 30 days. If a question is raised and you are investigated, KSBN must complete the process in 90 days or “as is practicable”. KSBN licenses over 70,000 people and investigates an average of 2300 cases per year. The majority of requests/applications are processed immediately. If not immediately processed you will receive a letter of notification from KSBN on your application status.

What Happens During An Investigation?

Investigators collect information from many sources. Medical records, personnel records, agency record, and records of discipline on licensing from other states are reviewed. Investigators interview witnesses and take statements. Investigators interview licensees that are being investigated. During investigations licensees may offer evidence and statements to be considered. Investigators collect all information available, both positive and negative. The investigators organize, review and summarize all available information.

How Long Does The Process Take?

As a rule the process will be completed within 6 to 9 months. This process may be lengthened by other factors. These factors include reports received after the incident actually occurred or locating witnesses or clients that may have moved. Uncooperative witnesses or licensees, slow response to record requests or subpoenas by agencies or other states lengthen the process also.

What Happens After The Investigation?

The Investigative Committee reviews all summaries and files. That committee is made up of three Board Members. They meet at every Board meeting (4 times a year) and sometimes between Board meetings. The committee decides what should be done with the file. The decisions include, but are not limited to 1) inactivation, 2) call for hearing or summary denial (resulting in formal discipline), 3) inactivation due to in-house/facility or self imposed education actions, 4)non-discipline probation agreements, 5) agreements to obtain specific CNE courses, and 6) referrals to the impaired provider program. After the committee makes their decision, licensees are notified in writing of the Board’s request/action. Not all actions result in formal discipline.

DISCLAIMER

The Kansas State Board of Nursing (“KSBN”) staff cannot and does not provide legal advice to members of the public. KSBN staff may provide assistance to the public by providing reference to the Kansas Nurse Practice Act. The Kansas Nurse Practice Act is available at https://ksbn.kansas.gov/npa/.This assistance should never be taken as legal advice, or as a complete reference to all relevant laws or regulations governing a particular situation. Any response given by KSBN staff is not binding on the Board and should not be taken as an official KSBN decision. If you believe you need legal advice, you should consult, at your own expense, a licensed attorney.

Determinations as to whether a nurse has violated the KNPA and whether disciplinary action is taken against a licensee, is a power granted to the Board. The Board does not make any determinations until after an investigation has been completed and evidence gathered has been presented to the Board. Therefore, agency staff are unable to provide an opinion as to whether there is a violation of the KNPA (see K.S.A. 65-1120, K.A.R. 60-3-110, and K.S.A. 65-1166 Art. III(c)(1)-(11).  

A case investigation can take on average 6-9 months to complete and then present to the board. Any disciplinary action determined by the Board is then handled through the judicial system to allow for due process.

The goal of the KSBN is public protection. The mission of the KSBN is to assure safe and competent practice.