What is a "cease and desist" order in the context of nursing regulations?

A "cease and desist" order in the context of nursing regulations is a directive that instructs a nurse to stop practicing until certain legal matters or concerns are addressed. This type of order is typically issued by regulatory bodies when there is suspicion of misconduct, violation of nursing practice standards, or other legal issues that require investigation.

The purpose of such an order is to protect the public and ensure that only qualified individuals are providing nursing care. By halting practice, the regulatory authority can thoroughly investigate the matter at hand, ensuring patient safety and upholding the integrity of the nursing profession.

In this context, options related to permanently revoking a license, requiring additional training, or increasing patient care standards do not capture the immediate and temporary nature of a cease and desist order. These alternatives reflect different regulatory actions that may occur after an investigation or on a different basis than the urgent need to stop potentially unsafe nursing practice.