The phrase “going postal” has come to mean an individual’s loss of workplace control. Although most professionals are lucky that such extreme expressions of anger are rare, most have had the experience of knowing an angry co-worker or superior. Although anger is a normal human emotion, the expression of this emotion can have a devastating effect on a professional’s career and can even result in the loss of professional’s license. Unfortunately, professionals often do not become aware that they have a problem controlling anger until they have received notice of a complaint from their respective licensing board.

Anger has many degrees from mild—a mere annoyance, to strong—a full blown rage. It is also important to recognize that two people who have problems controlling anger may show anger in completely different manners. One may be a typical “hot head” while another may engage in more passive-aggressive behaviors and seek to undermine those around him or her. Either way, a licensee’s inability to control his or her anger can have numerous unintended consequences at the work place, including but not limited to:

• Not being invited to participate in meetings or special projects
• Loss of respect from colleagues
• Increased turnover of employees
• Decreased opportunities for advancement
• Being avoided or not listened to by co-workers/staff
• Making avoidable mistakes or judgment errors
• Unhappy customers or patients

The first step in dealing with anger issues is to learn to determine the true cause of the anger. Although this may seem fairly straight-forward, many angry licensees do not know why they are experiencing anger. Frustrations that at first glance may seem work-related may not have anything to do with work. For example, anger related to personal and/or financial problems can unexpectedly surface at work. Divorce or the unexpected loss of a loved one are events that can often spill over into one’s professional life. For some, just learning the cause of the anger can make the anger easier to manage.

Once you are aware of the cause of anger, the next step is to learn how to manage those feelings. A healthy way to express anger is to do so in an assertive, but non-aggressive manner. Learning how to express your feelings and needs in a way that is respectful of yourself and others is not only a skill that is necessary in the workplace but will also serve a licensee in all aspects of career and life. If you believe you have problems controlling your anger and believe that anger is affecting your career, it is wise to speak with a counselor.

If you received notice from your licensing board that a complaint has been filed against you, contact the Sanger Law Office. At the Sanger Law Office, we will take the time to listen to you and determine the best strategy to protect your livelihood and your reputation. Do not delay contacting the Sanger Law today today at 785-979-4353 to schedule your free and completely confidential consultation.

Attendants are the first medical providers on the scene of any major accident or emergency. Whether you are a first responder or an emergency medical technician, you are a highly trusted member of the community; the public relies on emergency medical attendants to provide critical care services without the benefit of hospital resources. Unlike the patient’s family physician, attendants come into a patient’s life as strangers and often leave as heroes. Most attendants consequently experience a high level of job satisfaction.  In order to continue to be able to enjoy your career it is important to keep one’s license in good standing. With this in mind, it is important avoid problems with the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services.  As such, consider the following career threatening mistakes:

1. Violating Patient Confidentiality:  It is normal to want to share the events of your work day with friends or loved ones.  However, an attendant needs to be extremely careful that in relaying these stories the attendant is not sharing too much information.  Patients in this line of work may be fleeting, but they are entitled to the same degree of confidentiality from an attendant, as the patient would receive from a nurse or a doctor in a hospital setting.  Failing to take necessary actions to safeguard patient information can land an attendant in hot water with the Board.

2. Performing Activities Beyond Certification:  Attendants encounter patients in a variety of life threatening situations.  Although it may be tempting to try to do more than what the attendant is qualified to do, it is important for any attendant to know and understand professional limitations.

3. Misleading or False Statements:  The simplest way to avoid problems with the Board is to make sure that the information provided to the Board is accurate. Lying or misrepresenting facts on an application or certification renewal form is clearly an invitation for trouble.

4. Failure to Meet Renewal Requirements: Make sure that your renewal form is completed in a timely manner, including the payment of all fees and the completion of all continuing education credits.

5. Drugs Addiction and Diversion:  Diverting drugs from a patient is not only cause for discipline or loss of one’s license, it is also a crime. Drug use can interfere with the attendant’s skills and judgment. Attendants who are suffering from drug addiction need to seek qualified help or risk losing their career.

6. Patient Abuse: Patients deserve the highest standard of care from the medical community. Attendants who physically, emotionally or sexually abuse a patient are subject to disciplinary action by the Board.

7. Conviction of a Felony: Trustworthiness is the cornerstone of any attendant. An attendant who is convicted of a felony will typically not be allowed to continue until after a Board’s investigation determines that the individual has been rehabilitated to a level that again warrants the public’s trust.

If you have received notice of disciplinary action by the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services, contact the Sanger Law Office at 785-979-4353 to schedule a free and completely confidential consultation. Do not trust your professional license to just any attorney. Trust the professional license defense attorneys at the Sanger Law Office to provide you with exception legal services.

Stress, some would argue, is just part of the job for most medical professionals. Whether you are a doctor, nurse or therapist, you undoubtedly are under a considerable amount of stress not only at work, but also in your personal life. As such, medical professionals need to learn how to recognize and cope with stress—much like they have learned to deal with difficult patients and coworkers. Failing to deal effectively with stress can lead to a multitude of problems and ultimately put a professional’s license at risk by interfering with the quality of care that their patients deserve. This can ultimately lead to patient complaints and a litany of other problems.  With this in mind, there are a number of tips you should consider in managing your stress levels:

• Identify the source: If you feel stressed out, try to take a minute to determine what is causing the stress. Is the tension you are feeling related to a work-related event, such as a trying patient, or do you just feel more stressed because of something going on in your personal life? Medical professionals are “real” people too and have personal problems that can sometimes inconspicuously spill over into work. Once you identify the source of stress, you can take appropriate actions to address the issue.

• Take a break: Sometimes a small break from a stressful situation can make a big difference. Briefly removing yourself from the situation can often bring you clarity and allow you to regain your composure. Recognizing that you are stressed and allowing yourself to determine an appropriate response is key. Stress in the workplace may seem inevitable, but remember, you can take control of how you handle it so your patients do not suffer as a result.

• Be on the lookout: Stress does not look the same on all people. In one person, stress may resemble anxiety while in another it may manifest itself as anger. Unmanaged stress can also lead to depression, job-related burn-out and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Once you are aware of how you deal with stress, the better you can cope. 

• Determine a way to cope with stress: The good news is that there are many ways to cope with stress. From exercise to meditation to engaging in an activity that you thoroughly enjoy, the key is to find something that works for you. If you are not finding relief from stress after trying a few different approaches, it may be a good idea to seek the advice of a professional. Therapists and counselors can help you gain insight into the source of your stress and how to successfully manage it.

If you are medical professional who is being reviewed by the Kansas Board of the Healing Arts or Board of Nursing, the Sanger Law Office can help. I invite you to call the Sanger Law Office at 785-979-4353 for a free and completely confidential consultation. As a medical professional your license is not just your career it is your livelihood. You can rely on Danielle Sanger and the Sanger Law Offices to investigate the charges being brought against you and defend your professional license and protect your reputation.

Everybody makes mistakes. However, some mistakes can have dire consequences. Today, nurses are under greater scrutiny than ever before. One serious misstep may not only lead to disciplinary action; it could also jeopardize a nurse’s license. The following are some of the more serious violations that could cost a nurse his or her license:

1. Failure to Keep Accurate Patient Records: An important task for all nurses is to update and maintain patient records. An accurate patient chart is essential in order for a patient to receive proper care. A nurse that fails to record an extra dose of pain medication is not only putting her license at risk, but is also endangering the patient’s safety and well-being.
2. Negligent Patient Care: Nursing is a serious profession where a nurse’s action or inaction can directly impact a patient’s care. Having a chaotic night or being assigned too many patients is not an excuse for improper patient care. Forgetting to give a patient the required medication can not only land a nurse in hot water with a supervisor, but, could also seriously harm the health of a patient. Nursing boards are established in part to protect the general population.  In fact, boards take allegations of abuse and neglect very seriously.
3. Failure to Maintain Patient Confidentiality: Nurses not only need to know and understand HIPAA, they also must understand its application in the workplace. More than a few nurses have landed themselves in trouble after using Facebook and other social media sites as a medium to vent about difficult patients.
4. Drug Abuse: Many licensing boards require a nurse who has a substance abuse problem to seek treatment. Failure to successfully complete a substance abuse program, could result in disciplinary action and ultimately the loss of license. Most states have programs especially designed for nurses with substance abuse problems. If you have a problem, get help.
5. Diverting Drugs from Patients: A nurse who diverts drugs from patients is not only jeopardizing his or her license, but may also face criminal charges. This dangerous mistake can start off as innocuously as a nurse who pockets a few pain pills to treat her own aching back. From there it may progress to providing medications to family members or selling pills to a friend who is without medical insurance. Taking drugs from patients is a very serious offense. Tell friends and family members to look elsewhere.  Do not put your license at risk.

If you are facing an administrative board due to an allegation of improper conduct, you need an effective nursing license defense attorney to represent you. Contact the Sanger Law Offices at 785-979-4353 for a free and completely confidential consultation. You can count on our team of professionals to aggressively defend you before the Kansas Board of Nursing.