"Keep praying and walking," was something that Black people used to say when times were harsh.

This life is one in which we all experience ups and downs that can come in many forms.  For nurses undergoing state board discipline it comes as a huge dilemma to  a person's self-worth, professional standing and economic well being that can have a negative effect on his/her mental or physical well-being.  This challenge leaves a person feeling disempowered and overwhelmed by the magnitude of the entity (State Board of Nursing) whose power to tread over your career path and crush your livelihood is in their hands.  Doctors feel a similar dread of dealing with licensing boards and although things can work out and the board may view that they were not threatening they do in fact threaten those who are called before them.
Not being along during the legal process in important and no matter what people assume or try to do to distance themselves from you professionally it's important that you keep reaffirming your self-worth and go deeper into another type of experience that you might not have done before - explore your spiritual connection with God/Universe or whatever term fits your conceptions best but take the opportunity to go deeper and become freer as a result.  Join a Meditation group and this provides instruction and support to silence the mind and connect with your heart and soul and rid your inner psyche of the junk that has been carried around inside that never seems to go unless this kind of intense delving takes place.  It's not a cognitive process as that leads to more distance from your real self that is really a sweet and gently place to be inside during a time when the world may feel unwelcoming.
Meditation can be practiced by anyone and has indeed been part of the lives of many Religions who seek to find God in silence, stillness and away from any rigid framework that doesn't encourage the true experience of the bliss and love that can be tapped within one's own being.  Meditation is simply as one great Master has said "sitting still and being quiet just like your mother told you!"
Keep a journal and write about the things that come to your mind and when you sit for meditation ask for the answers you need to help eliminate the thoughts, find solutions etc.  You have the answers inside and they will come to you when you need them.
Make sure that you focus on the practical steps you will need to take such as finding an Attorney who specializes in license law.  Sloate & Links have a web site that describes the state board of nursing investigation and disciplinary process that can be helpful in gearing up to dealing with your particular situation/charge.  Keep a separate note book and write down questions for your Attorney and all conversations regarding your case, date, times etc.  Keep a separate journal and write about your feelings and if there is information about where the charge originated from write as much as you can remember about the situation in question and people who may be called upon to testify on your behalf.
Keep your focus inside and don't get so caught up by external affairs that you feel depleted.  Replenishing yourself is a key to keeping well during the process.  Make sure you get rest and extra rest if needed.  Take time to care for your hands, feet, hair and all other grooming habits that can be neglected.  Take long relaxing baths with candles lit and soft music playing.  Learn to be comfortable with your life as you move through this process.
Reach out to other nurses who are undergoing state board discipline and call one another on the phone.  Except when told it's ok to do by your Attorney don't discuss your case per se just how to best deal with the inquiry and other social issues such as stigma once your name is listed in the State Board of Nursing News Paper that is mailed out to other nurses in the State in which you live.  It's hard to protect yourself when they make it very public but "this too will pass" is what you must tell yourself and move on with you chin held high.  When we close down and clam up about a situation like this it feeds into the idea that you have something to be ashamed of and that just isn't healthy especially for nurses who know that they would encourage patients to work through this type of shame/blame culture.
Once you have established a network of nurses in your state set up meetings using the web and phone to connect.  There is a site called Meetup which could be useful to arrange for support.  If anyone has the resources start a 24/7 hotline and ask other nurses to volunteer to be part of a group to cover a schedule and provide support to nurses who are initially approached by the State Board.
The key is being prepared.  Advise nurses to politely give the investigator in person a business card with your Attorney's contact information or tell the person over the phone that your Attorney will be in contact with them and you will hear from him/her regarding any scheduled meeting to discuss the matter.
Start your diary now and record who, what, where and when style of documentation and record how it made you feel.  In time go to your State Representative and share your experience and invite him/her to connect with Rep. Tony Shipley (R-TN) who has written two laws for nurses that provides some over-site.
Unwinding:
Go for long walks in nature and breath fresh air deeply into your lungs and breath out deeply.  Enroll in a yoga class, vegetarian cooking class or other activity that helps you feel more relaxed.  Play chants, soft music and create a calm atmosphere in the home.  Ask a relative or friend to help with extra chores if you are depleted or need to take time for yourself when you have a family to care for.
Just as you earned your license through hard work and a strategy of commitment and dedication so will you have to muster the kind of inner resolve to see the legal process through.
Please contact me if you would like further tips and information.  Nurses will experience an improvement in morale by supporting one another and forming groups in each state.  It can be done together and it makes sense to be there for each nurse who then doesn't have to feel isolated or shamed.