The board may suspend or revoke a license issued under this chapter for any of the following:
(a)
Unprofessional conduct, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1)
Incompetence, or gross negligence in carrying out usual nursing functions.
(2)
A conviction of practicing medicine without a license in violation of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000), in which event the record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction.
(3)
The use of advertising relating to nursing which violates Section 17500.
(4)
The use of excessive force upon or the mistreatment or abuse of any patient. For the purposes of this paragraph, “excessive force” means force clearly in excess of that which would normally be applied in similar clinical circumstances.
(5)
The failure to maintain confidentiality of patient medical information, except as disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law.
(6)
Failure to report the commission of any act prohibited by this section.
(b)
Procuring a certificate by fraud, misrepresentation, or mistake.
(c)
Procuring, aiding, abetting, attempting, or agreeing or offering to procure or assist at, a criminal abortion.
(d)
Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violating of, or conspiring to violate any provision or term of this chapter.
(e)
Making or giving any false statement or information in connection with the application for issuance of a license.
(f)
Conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a licensed vocational nurse, in which event the record of the conviction shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction.
(g)
Impersonating any applicant or acting as proxy for an applicant in any examination required under this chapter for the issuance of a license.
(h)
Impersonating another practitioner, misrepresenting professional credentials or licensure status, or permitting another person to use his or her certificate or license.
(i)
Aiding or assisting, or agreeing to aid or assist any person or persons, whether a licensed physician or not, in the performance of or arranging for a violation of Article 12 (commencing with Section 2220) of Chapter 5.
(j)
The commission of any act involving dishonesty, when that action is related to the duties and functions of the licensee.
(k)
The commission of any act punishable as a sexually related crime, if that act is substantially related to the duties and functions of the licensee.
(l)
Except for good cause, the knowing failure to protect patients by failing to follow infection control guidelines of the board, thereby risking transmission of blood-borne infectious diseases from licensee to patient, from patient to patient, and from patient to licensee. In administering this subdivision, the board shall consider referencing the standards, regulations, and guidelines of the State Department of Health Services developed pursuant to Section 1250.11 of the Health and Safety Code and the standards, guidelines, and regulations pursuant to the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 (Part 1 (commencing with Section 6300), Division 5, Labor Code) for preventing the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and other blood-borne pathogens in health care settings. As necessary, the board shall consult with the California Medical Board, the Board of Podiatric Medicine, the Board of Dental Examiners, and the Board of Registered Nursing, to encourage appropriate consistency in the implementation of this subdivision.
The board shall seek to ensure that licentiates and others regulated by the board are informed of the responsibility of licentiates and others to follow infection control guidelines, and of the most recent scientifically recognized safeguards for minimizing the risk of transmission of blood-borne infectious diseases.