(a)
Notwithstanding any other law, the board may, in its discretion, accept the surrender of a license through a stipulated agreement in the absence of a pleading when the ability of a registered nurse to practice nursing safely is impaired due to mental or physical illness.
(b)
This alternative proceeding shall apply only to cases that would otherwise have been processed pursuant to Section 820.
(c)
Until the time that the licensee signs the stipulated agreement for license surrender, he or she may elect to have the disciplinary process conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(d)
The stipulated agreement in this alternative proceeding shall specify that:
(1)
The license surrender shall be public information and shall be considered a disciplinary action.
(2)
The licensee may petition the board for reinstatement after a period of not less than one year after the effective date of the decision.
(3)
Any reinstatement proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to Section 2760.1.
(4)
Upon seeking reinstatement, it is the responsibility of the former licensee to submit competent evidence of the ability to safely and competently practice as a registered nurse.