Checking Up or Filing Complaints about Nurses- Hospice Patients Alliance

When utilizing services from nurses, whether in hospice or elsewhere, you may wish to find out what kind of record the nurse has. While settlements with insurance companies do not necessarily reflect the real character of a nurse's practice, disciplinary actions taken by a state nursing board may be taken quite seriously. Settlements to resolve malpractice claims may be done at the insistence of a nurse's insurance carrier and may not reflect wrongdoing at all, because insurance companies will pressure a nurse to settle, if the cost of settling is less than the cost of going to trial. Nurses are not pleased with this practice, but it is what insurance companies often do, even when the nurse is completely innocent of any wrongdoing.

You may wish to check on a nurse's record or file a complaint with a state nursing board. If you experience very serious problems with a nurse's treatment of your loved one, you should consult an attorney who specializes in nursing cases and file a complaint with the state nursing board that reviews such cases. We provide addresses of state nursing boards below. Problems that are not that serious can be handled by speaking with the nurse directly and providing feedback as to the care given.

Alabama Board of Nursing 770 Washington Avenue RSA Plaza, Ste 250 Montgomery, AL 36130-3900	Phone: (334) 242-4060 FAX: (334) 242-4360
*Contact Person: N. Genell Lee, MSN, JD, RN, Executive Officer*
Web Site: http://www.abn.state.al.us/
Alaska Board of Nursing Dept. of Comm. & Econ. Development Div. of Occupational Licensing 3601 C Street, Suite 722 Anchorage, AK 99503	Phone: (907) 269-8161 FAX: (907) 269-8196
*Contact Person: Dorothy Fulton, MA, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pnur.htm
American Samoa Health Services Services Regulatory Board LBJ Tropical Medical Center Pago Pago, AS 96799	Phone: (684) 633-1222 FAX: (684) 633-1869
*Contact Person: Etenauga Lutu, RN, Executive Secretary*

Arizona State Board of Nursing 1651 E. Morten Avenue, Suite 210 Phoenix, AZ 85020	Phone: (602) 331-8111 FAX: (602) 906-9365
*Contact Person: Joey Ridenour, MN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.azboardofnursing.org/
Arkansas State Board of Nursing University Tower Building 1123 S. University, Suite 800 Little Rock, AR 72204-1619	Phone: (501) 686-2700 FAX: (501) 686-2714
*Contact Person: Faith Fields, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.ar.us/nurse
California Board of Registered Nursing 400 R St., Ste. 4030 Sacramento, CA 95814-6239	Phone: (916) 322-3350 FAX: (916) 327-4402
*Contact Person: Ruth Ann Terry, MPH, RN, Executive Officer*
Web Site: http://www.rn.ca.gov/
California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205 Sacramento, CA 95833	Phone: (916) 263-7800 FAX: (916) 263-7859
*Contact Person: Teresa Bello-Jones, J.D., M.S.N, R.N., Executive Officer*
Web Site: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/
Colorado Board of Nursing 1560 Broadway, Suite 880 Denver, CO 80202	Phone: (303) 894-2430 FAX: (303) 894-2821
*Contact Person: Patricia Uris, PhD, RN, Program Administrator*
Web Site: http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing/
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing Division of Health Systems Regulation 410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 12HSR P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134-0328	Phone: (860) 509-7624 FAX: (860) 509-7553
*Contact Person: Wendy Furniss, MS, RNC, Public Health Services Manager*
Web Site: http://www.state.ct.us/dph/
Delaware Board of Nursing 861 Silver Lake Blvd Cannon Building, Suite 203 Dover, DE 19904	Phone: (302) 739-4522 FAX: (302) 739-2711
*Contact Person: Iva Boardman, MSN, RN, Executive Director*

District of Columbia Board of Nursing Department of Health 825 N. Capitol Street, N.E., 2nd Floor Room 2224 Washington, DC 20002	Phone: (202) 442-4778 FAX: (202) 442-9431
*Contact Person: Denise Pope, MSN, RN, Acting Executive Officer*

Florida Board of Nursing 4080 Woodcock Drive, Suite 202 Jacksonville, FL 32207	Phone: (904) 858-6940 FAX: (904) 858-6964
*Contact Person: Ruth R. Stiehl, PhD., MN, MA, BS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/rnhome.htm
Georgia State Board of Licensed Practical Nurses 237 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217-3858	Phone: (912) 207-1300 FAX: (912) 207-1633
*Contact Person: Jacqueline Hightower, JD, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/ebd-lpn/
Georgia Board of Nursing 237 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217-3858	Phone: (912) 207-1640 FAX: (912) 207-1660
*Contact Person: Shirley Camp, BSN, JD, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/ebd-rn/
Guam Board of Nurse Examiners P.O. Box 2816 1304 East Sunset Boulevard Barrgada, GU 96913	Phone: (671) 475-0251 FAX: (671) 477-4733
*Contact Person: Margarita Bautista-Gay, RN, BSN, MN, Chairperson & Acting Executive Director*

Hawaii Board of Nursing Professional & Vocational Licensing Division P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801	Phone: (808) 586-3000 FAX: (808) 586-2689
*Contact Person: Kathleen Yokouchi , Executive Officer*
Web Site: http://www.state.hi.us/dcca/pvloffline/
Idaho Board of Nursing 280 N. 8th Street, Suite 210 P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720	Phone: (208) 334-3110 FAX: (208) 334-3262
*Contact Person: Sandra Evans, MA,Ed., RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.id.us/ibn/ibnhome.htm
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation James R. Thompson Center 100 West Randolph, Suite 9-300 Chicago, IL 60601	Phone: (312) 814-2715 FAX: (312) 814-3145
*Contact Person: Jacqueline Waggoner, MSN, RN, Nursing Act Coordinator*
Web Site: http://www.dpr.state.il.us/
Indiana State Board of Nursing Health Professions Bureau 402 W. Washington Street, Room W041 Indianapolis, IN 46204	Phone: (317) 232-2960 FAX: (317) 233-4236
*Contact Person: Kristen Burch , Dir. Of Nursing of IN BON*
Web Site: http://www.state.in.us/hbp/isbn/
Iowa Board of Nursing RiverPoint Business Park 400 S.W. 8th Street Suite B Des Moines, IA 50309-4685	Phone: (515) 281-3255 FAX: (515) 281-4825
*Contact Person: Lorinda Inman, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.ia.us/government/nursing/
Kansas State Board of Nursing Landon State Office Building 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 551-S Topeka, KS 66612	Phone: (785) 296-4929 FAX: (785) 296-3929
*Contact Person: Mary Blubaugh, MSN, RN, Executive Administrator*
Web Site: http://www.ksbn.org
Kentucky Board of Nursing 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300 Louisville, KY 40222	Phone: (502) 329-7000 FAX: (502) 329-7011
*Contact Person: Sharon Weisenbeck, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.kbn.state.ky.us/
Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners 3421 N. Causeway Boulevard, Suite 203 Metairie, LA 70002	Phone: (504) 838-5791 FAX: (504) 838-5279
*Contact Person: Claire Glaviano, BSN, MN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: www.lsbpne.com
Louisiana State Board of Nursing 3510 N. Causeway Boulevard, Suite 501 Metairie, LA 70003	Phone: (504) 838-5332 FAX: (504) 838-5349
*Contact Person: Barbara Morvant, MN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/
Maine State Board of Nursing 158 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333	Phone: (207) 287-1133 FAX: (207) 287-1149
*Contact Person: Myra Broadway, JD, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.me.us/nursingbd/
Maryland Board of Nursing 4140 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215	Phone: (410) 585-1900 FAX: (410) 358-3530
*Contact Person: Donna Dorsey, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://dhmh1d.dhmh.state.md.us/mbn/
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing Commonwealth of Massachusetts 239 Causeway Street Boston, MA 02114	Phone: (617) 727-9961 FAX: (617) 727-1630
*Contact Person: Theresa Bonanno, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/rn/
Michigan CIS/Office of Health Services Ottawa Towers North 611 W. Ottawa, 4th Floor Lansing, MI 48933	Phone: (517) 373-9102 FAX: (517) 373-2179
*Contact Person: Cathy Seyka , Licensure Manager*
Web Site: http://www.cis.state.mi.us/bhser/genover.htm
Minnesota Board of Nursing 2829 University Avenue SE Suite 500 Minneapolis, MN 55414	Phone: (612) 617-2270 FAX: (612) 617-2190
*Contact Person: Shirley Brekken, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.nursingboard.state.mn.us/
Mississippi Board of Nursing 1935 Lakeland Drive, Suite B Jackson, MS 39216-5014	Phone: (601) 987-4188 FAX: (601) 364-2352
*Contact Person: Marcia Rachel, PhD, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.msbn.state.ms.us/webtest
Missouri State Board of Nursing 3605 Missouri Blvd. P.O. Box 656 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656	Phone: (573) 751-0681 FAX: (573) 751-0075
*Contact Person: Calvina Thomas, PhD, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/pr/nursing/
Montana State Board of Nursing 301 South Park Helena, MT 59620-0513	Phone: (406) 444-2071 FAX: (406) 841-2343
*Contact Person: Barbara Swehla, MN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.com.state.mt.us/License/POL/index.htm
Commonwealth Board of Nurse Examiners Capitol Hill Building 1336 Saipan, MP 96950	Phone: (670) 664-4810 FAX: (670) 664-4813
*Contact Person: Elizabeth Torres-Untalan, RN, Chairperson*

Nebraska Health and Human Services System Dept. of Regulation & Licensure, Nursing Section 301 Centennial Mall South Lincoln, NE 68509-4986	Phone: (402) 471-4376 FAX: (402) 471-3577
*Contact Person: Charlene Kelly, PhD, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/nns.htm
Nevada State Board of Nursing 1755 East Plumb Lane Suite 260 Reno, NV 89502	Phone: (775) 688-2620 FAX: (775) 688-2628
*Contact Person: Kathy Apple, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.nursingboard.state.nv.us
New Hampshire Board of Nursing P.O. Box 3898 78 Regional Drive, BLDG B Concord, NH 03302	Phone: (603) 271-2323 FAX: (603) 271-6605
*Contact Person: Cynthia Gray, MBA, BS, RN, CPN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.nh.us/nursing/
New Jersey Board of Nursing P.O. Box 45010 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor Newark, NJ 07101	Phone: (973) 504-6586 FAX: (973) 648-3481
*Contact Person: Patricia Lynch Polansky, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical.htm
New Mexico Board of Nursing 4206 Louisiana Boulevard, NE Suite A Albuquerque, NM 87109	Phone: (505) 841-8340 FAX: (505) 841-8347
*Contact Person: Debra Brady, PhD, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.nm.us/clients/nursing
New York State Board of Nursing Education Bldg. 89 Washington Avenue 2nd Floor West Wing Albany, NY 12234	Phone: (518) 473-6999 FAX: (518) 474-3706
*Contact Person: Barbara Zittel, PhD, RN, Temporary Acting EO*
Web Site: http://www.nysed.gov/prof/nurse.htm
North Carolina Board of Nursing 3724 National Drive, Suite 201 Raleigh, NC 27612	Phone: (919) 782-3211 FAX: (919) 781-9461
*Contact Person: Polly Johnson, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.ncbon.com/
North Dakota Board of Nursing 919 South 7th Street, Suite 504 Bismark, ND 58504	Phone: (701) 328-9777 FAX: (701) 328-9785
*Contact Person: Constance Kalanek, PhD, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.ndbon.org/
Ohio Board of Nursing 17 South High Street, Suite 400 Columbus, OH 43215-3413	Phone: (614) 466-3947 FAX: (614) 466-0388
*Contact Person: Dorothy Fiorino, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.oh.us/nur/
Oklahoma Board of Nursing 2915 N. Classen Boulevard, Suite 524 Oklahoma City, OK 73106	Phone: (405) 962-1800 FAX: (405) 962-1821
*Contact Person: Kimberly Glazier, M.Ed., RN, Executive Director*

Oregon State Board of Nursing 800 NE Oregon Street, Box 25 Suite 465 Portland, OR 97232	Phone: (503) 731-4745 FAX: (503) 731-4755
*Contact Person: Joan Bouchard, MN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.osbn.state.or.us/
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing 124 Pine Street Harrisburg, PA 17101	Phone: (717) 783-7142 FAX: (717) 783-0822
*Contact Person: Miriam Limo, MS, MSN, RN, Executive Secretary*
Web Site: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/nurbd/mainpage.htm
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Board of Nurse Examiners 800 Roberto H. Todd Avenue Room 202, Stop 18 Santurce, PR 00908	Phone: (787) 725-8161 FAX: (787) 725-7903
*Contact Person: Beverly Davila Morales , Executive Director*

Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education 105 Cannon Building Three Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908	Phone: (401) 222-5700 FAX: (401) 222-3352
*Contact Person: Charles Alexandre, MSN, RN, Executive Officer*
Web Site: http://www.health.state.ri.us
South Carolina State Board of Nursing 110 Centerview Drive Suite 202 Columbia, SC 29210	Phone: (803) 896-4550 FAX: (803) 896-4525
*Contact Person: Martha Bursinger, RN, MSN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/nursing
South Dakota Board of Nursing 4300 South Louise Ave., Suite C-1 Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3124	Phone: (605) 362-2760 FAX: (605) 362-2768
*Contact Person: Diana Vander Woude, MS, RN, Executive Secretary*
Web Site: http://www.state.sd.us/dcr/nursing/
Tennessee State Board of Nursing 426 Fifth Avenue North 1st Floor - Cordell Hull Building Nashville, TN 37247	Phone: (615) 532-5166 FAX: (615) 741-7899
*Contact Person: Elizabeth Lund, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://170.142.76.180/bmf-bin/BMFproflist.pl
Texas Board of Nurse Examiners 333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460 Austin, TX 78701	Phone: (512) 305-7400 FAX: (512) 305-7401
*Contact Person: Katherine Thomas, MN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.bne.state.tx.us/
Texas Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners William P. Hobby Building, Tower 3 333 Guadalupe Street, Suite 3-400 Austin, TX 78701	Phone: (512) 305-8100 FAX: (512) 305-8101
*Contact Person: Mary Strange, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.bvne.state.tx.us/
Utah State Board of Nursing Heber M. Wells Bldg., 4th Floor 160 East 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111	Phone: (801) 530-6628 FAX: (801) 530-6511
*Contact Person: Laura Poe, MS, RN, Executive Administrator*
Web Site: http://www.commerce.state.ut.us/
Vermont State Board of Nursing 109 State Street Montpelier, VT 05609-1106	Phone: (802) 828-2396 FAX: (802) 828-2484
*Contact Person: Anita Ristau, MS, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://vtprofessionals.org/nurses/
Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure Veterans Drive Station St. Thomas, VI 00803	Phone: (340) 776-7397 FAX: (340) 777-4003
*Contact Person: Winifred Garfield, CRNA, RN, Executive Secretary*

Virginia Board of Nursing 6606 W. Broad Street, 4th Floor Richmond, VA 23230	Phone: (804) 662-9909 FAX: (804) 662-9512
*Contact Person: Nancy Durrett, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.dhp.state.va.us/
Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission Department of Health 1300 Quince Street SE Olympia, WA 98504-7864	Phone: (360) 236-4740 FAX: (360) 236-4738
*Contact Person: Paula Meyer, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.doh.wa.gov/nursing/
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses 101 Dee Drive Charleston, WV 25311	Phone: (304) 558-3572 FAX: (304) 558-4367
*Contact Person: Nancy Wilson, RN, Executive Secretary*
Web Site: http://www.lpnboard.state.wv.us/
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses 101 Dee Drive Charleston, WV 25311	Phone: (304) 558-3596 FAX: (304) 558-3666
*Contact Person: Laura Rhodes, MSN, RN, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://www.state.wv.us/nurses/rn/
Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing 1400 E. Washington Avenue P.O. Box 8935 Madison, WI 53708	Phone: (608) 266-0145 FAX: (608) 261-7083
*Contact Person: Kimberly Nania , Director, Bureau of Health Service Professions*
Web Site: http://www.drl.state.wi.us/
Wyoming State Board of Nursing 2020 Carey Avenue, Suite 110 Cheyenne, WY 82002	Phone: (307) 777-7601 FAX: (307) 777-3519
*Contact Person: Cheryl Lynn Koski, MS, RN, CS, Executive Director*
Web Site: http://nursing.state.wy.us/

Checking Up On or Filing Complaints About Nurses