While it may sound easy to represent yourself at formal ALJ hearing or an informal Board of Nursing hearing, we strongly advise you to hire an attorney.
The Board of Nursing’s duty is to protect the public, not nurses. You must fully present your argument in the best possible light to show that you are safe to practice and are not a danger to the public. If you choose to represent yourself, this can be difficult to do.
In a formal hearing, you must not only know the facts of your case, but you must also know the law and rules of evidence and know how to spot issues with the opposing party’s argument. You must put forth your best arguments and be prepared to articulate why the opposing party has failed to substantiate their claim. This requires knowledge of the law and the required elements of proof for each claim.
You must know how to properly admit your supporting evidence and oppose evidence offered by the DOH or LARA. In an informal hearing before the Board of Nursing, the rules are less stringent, but there are rules and you need to follow them.
Presenting your case requires communication skill, knowledge of the facts of the case, and Board procedure. Don’t trust your professional license to an inexperienced person or to yourself.