Authority and scope
Check the professional and concern
The nursing complaint route covers RNs, LPNs, and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). DIAL lists negligence, abusive conduct, confidentiality breaches, boundary violations, false documentation, substance misuse, and unlicensed practice among potential issues. This is the individual-nurse route; DIAL separately lists complaints about healthcare facilities.
Supporting guidance: DIAL complaint routes ↗
How the official source says to file
- Complete the online Nurse Complaint Form. If you cannot file online, the nursing page gives 515-380-7236 to request a paper form.
- Identify the nurse and employer, license number if known, involved patient, dates and times, witnesses, and what happened. Use a separate report for each individual; organize events chronologically and include relevant documents.
- For your own patient records, complete the linked Authorization for Release of Medical Information. The form permits supporting-file uploads and requests relevant incident reports, correspondence, witness details, charting, and other records.
Supporting guidance: Board of Nursing complaint process ↗Iowa Board of Nursing complaint form ↗
What this route may not provide
The Board can act only on matters that violate its rules. It evaluates alleged wrongful professional conduct for potential licensing discipline; a complaint containing no apparent rule violation is outside that stated basis for action.
Supporting guidance: DIAL complaint routes ↗Board of Nursing complaint process ↗
Do not guess about confidentiality
The Board accepts anonymous complaints but warns that anonymity can restrict investigation. The form describes statutory confidentiality for protected information; that statement should not be read as an unlimited guarantee about every disclosure.
Supporting guidance: Board of Nursing complaint process ↗Iowa Board of Nursing complaint form ↗
No public nursing filing deadline established here.
This guide does not establish a deadline for filing a public nursing complaint. Ask the regulator promptly about any rule that applies to your facts; an investigation's estimated duration is not a filing deadline.
Supporting guidance: Board of Nursing complaint process ↗
What may happen after filing
The Board assesses whether allegations appear to violate its rules and investigates appropriate concerns. Supporting records help avoid delay; investigators may request specific records by subpoena. Public disciplinary documents are available through the nursing public portal.
Supporting guidance: Board of Nursing complaint process ↗
Prepare a reviewable submission
State the concern you want reviewed, then add a short chronology, best supporting records, factual consequences, and a specific request for review.
Read the linked authority and process information ↗
Sources and scope
Board of Nursing complaint process ↗
Written route, anonymity, reporting tips, authorization, records requests, and discipline access.
Source checked: September 19, 2026
Iowa Board of Nursing complaint form ↗
Visible intake fields, chronology, separate reports, uploads, signature, and protected-information statement.
Source checked: September 19, 2026
DIAL complaint routes ↗
RN/LPN/ARNP scope, nursing violation examples, jurisdiction, and separate facility category.
Source checked: September 19, 2026
Source check: September 19, 2026. This records a review of the linked material, not a decision about your case. No clinical or legal reviewer is identified for this guide. Confirm current instructions with the receiving authority.