Travel nursing offers flexibility, competitive pay, and the opportunity to practice across the country, but it also introduces unique professional risks. One of the most serious is the possibility of facing a Board of Nursing (BON) complaint while working out of state.
Because travel nurses often hold multistate licenses and move between jurisdictions, a complaint filed during an assignment can raise complex questions about which nursing board has authority, how different state rules apply, and what steps are necessary to protect your license.
If you’re a travel nurse who has learned of a BON complaint while on assignment, understanding how the process works and taking the right next steps can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.
Jurisdiction is one of the first (and often most confusing) issues travel nurses face when a complaint arises out of state.
A professional license defense attorney can help you navigate your unique situation, but in most cases, the nursing board in the state where the alleged conduct occurred has the authority to investigate the complaint. That board can evaluate whether your actions complied with its Nurse Practice Act and impose discipline related to practice within that state.
If you hold a multistate license under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), your home-state board still retains authority over your license itself.
While a remote state may restrict or prohibit your ability to practice within its borders, the home-state BON can also initiate its own investigation based on information shared by the remote state.
In short, yes. A complaint filed in one state can be reported to your home-state BON and other compact states. In some cases, nurses face parallel investigations, making it critical to provide consistent, carefully worded responses across jurisdictions.
One of the biggest challenges travel nurses encounter during BON investigations is that nursing rules are not uniform nationwide.
States differ in areas such as:
A practice that is permissible (or even routine) in one state may be restricted in another. Travel nurses often rely on facility orientation and agency guidance, but those sources do not always fully explain state-specific regulatory nuances.
Unfortunately, “this was allowed in another state” is rarely a successful defense in a BON investigation. Nursing boards expect licensees to understand and comply with the laws of the state in which they are practicing, regardless of assignment length.
Once a complaint is opened, the process typically unfolds in several stages.
You may receive a written notice by mail or email informing you that a complaint has been filed. This notice often includes a deadline to submit a written response or provide relevant documentation.
The BON of the state you’re currently working in may request:
These requests should be taken seriously. Incomplete, delayed, or poorly worded responses can significantly harm your case.
In more serious cases, the board may impose temporary restrictions while the investigation is pending. This could include limitations on practice or emergency suspension, particularly if patient safety is alleged to be at risk.
BON investigations are often lengthy processes, but how you respond in the earliest stages can drastically shape your final outcome.
Don’t ignore the complaint, but also refrain from firing off a hasty response. Your initial statement often becomes central evidence later, both in the current proceeding and in possible parallel investigations.
Even if you’re confident that the complaint is a result of a simple misunderstanding, consulting a knowledgeable attorney before you commit to any statements can help you avoid complicating your defense.
Hospitals and agencies may conduct their own internal reviews, and their interests do not always align with yours. Information shared with an employer may be forwarded to the BON of the investigating state.
Gather and securely store any evidence that can aid in your defense or provide context for your actions. This could include:
A professional license defense attorney experienced in multistate nursing board investigations can provide guidance on what will be most beneficial to your case.
Travel nurses face unique professional risks because they practice under multiple regulatory systems, often for short periods of time and with limited institutional support. Being proactive can significantly reduce the likelihood of a complaint and help protect your license if one arises.
Before starting an assignment, review the Nurse Practice Act and BON guidance for that state. Do not rely solely on what was permissible in your home state or previous assignments. When standards differ, the assignment state’s rules apply.
Clear, timely documentation is one of the strongest defenses in a BON investigation. Chart objectively, and keep clear records of refusals, patient education, and escalations to supervisors.
Orientation periods can be brief, and policies may not be fully explained. Ask questions when expectations are unclear, and, when possible, keep copies of written policies provided during onboarding.
Short-term assignments can blur boundaries, but nursing boards hold travel nurses to the same professional standards as permanent staff. Avoid:
Some incidents must be reported to the facility, your staffing agency, the board, or all three.
Failing to report when required can be treated as a separate violation. When in doubt, seek legal guidance before making a report that could trigger an investigation.
Many nurses wait until discipline is imminent before contacting an attorney. Securing representation as soon as you learn of a complaint (or even when you suspect one may be filed) can:
An experienced professional license defense attorney like Landon White Law can provide the kind of early intervention that makes the difference between a manageable outcome and long-term harm to your nursing career.
