In short
Honesty and integrity are core to the NMBA Code, which asks nurses to practise honestly and ethically. Integrity concerns include theft, falsifying records or timesheets, fraudulent claims, and being dishonest about qualifications or registration. These are treated seriously because they go to trust, which is harder to rebuild than a clinical skill. Honesty during the notification process itself matters too. If an integrity concern is raised, take advice early, be scrupulously honest, and show genuine insight and remediation.
What does professional integrity mean for nurses?
It means practising honestly and ethically, and not engaging in conduct that undermines trust in you or the profession.
Acting with professional integrity is one of the four domains of the NMBA Code of conduct for nurses. The code states that nurses must practise honestly and ethically and should not engage in unlawful behaviour, as it may affect their practice and damage the reputation of the profession. It also requires nurses to be honest and transparent about their education, qualifications, previous occupations and registration status. Integrity, in short, is the expectation that you can be trusted. For the wider process, see our guide to what happens after a notification to the NMBA.
Why is dishonesty treated so seriously?
Because a Board can address a skills gap through education, but trust is much harder to restore.
Regulators approach honesty concerns differently from clinical ones, and it helps to understand why.
A skills gap
Can usually be addressed through education, supervision and practice. The path back is relatively clear.
A trust breach
Goes to whether you can be relied on. Rebuilding trust takes genuine, demonstrated insight over time, so these matters are treated more seriously.
This is why a relatively small dishonest act can attract a serious response, while an honestly handled clinical error may not. It is also why honesty is the single most important thing to hold onto from the moment a concern arises.
What counts as a dishonesty or integrity concern?
A range of conduct that involves deception or misuse of position or property.
- Theft from patients, colleagues or the workplace
- Falsifying records or timesheets
- Fraudulent claims or misuse of funds
- Dishonesty about qualifications or registration
- Misappropriating medicines or supplies
- Financial exploitation of a vulnerable person
Some of these overlap with other concerns, such as documentation or medication, but what makes them integrity matters is the element of dishonesty rather than error.
What is a financial integrity concern?
It is any concern that you have used your position, or a person's trust, for improper financial gain.
Financial integrity concerns include misusing workplace funds or property, submitting false claims, and the financial exploitation of a vulnerable person in your care, such as pressuring them over money, gifts or a will. Nurses are often in a position of trust with people who are unwell or dependent, which is exactly why the boundary around money and property is taken seriously. The safe rule is to keep a clear, transparent line between your professional role and any financial matter involving a person in your care, and to raise anything that feels uncomfortable with a manager.
Why does honesty during the process matter?
Because being dishonest with the Board can be more serious than the original concern.
When responding to any notification, not only an integrity one, honesty is essential. Attempting to cover up, minimise dishonestly, or mislead the regulator can turn a manageable matter into a far more serious one, and can itself be treated as professional misconduct. If you made a mistake, including a dishonest one, the strongest path is to own it plainly, show genuine insight into why it was wrong, and evidence change. Boards respond far better to honest accountability than to a defence that unravels.
What if you did not do it?
If you believe an integrity allegation is wrong, the answer is not to react angrily, but to cooperate calmly and let the evidence speak.
Integrity concerns are sometimes mistaken, or arise from a misunderstanding, a workplace dispute, or an assumption that turns out to be unfounded. If that is your situation, it is understandable to feel angry, but an aggressive or defensive response tends to work against you. Take advice from your indemnity insurer, gather the evidence that supports your account, and set out your position clearly, factually and professionally. Preserve any records or communications that help, and do not contact the notifier. Where you genuinely did nothing wrong, a measured, well evidenced response is your strongest protection, and it demonstrates exactly the professionalism the concern questioned.
How should you respond to an integrity notification?
Take advice, be scrupulously honest, show real insight into why trust matters, and evidence remediation.
Contact your indemnity insurer immediately, because these matters can be serious. Then, with advice, prepare a reflective account that shows you understand why honesty is fundamental to the profession, not just that you were caught. Back it with remediation, including CPD on integrity and, where relevant, steps that rebuild trust over time. Genuine, demonstrated insight is what a Board is looking for in these matters more than anything else.
Illustrative example
The concern: A nurse recorded hours on a timesheet for a shift they did not fully work, and the discrepancy was raised in a notification.
Acknowledge: The nurse accepts the entry was dishonest, and does not attempt to explain it away as a mistake.
Insight: They reflect honestly on how even a small dishonesty undermines the trust colleagues, employers and the public place in nurses.
Remediation: They complete CPD on financial integrity and professional ethics, are transparent with their employer, and take concrete steps to rebuild trust.
How can CPD help with an integrity concern?
Targeted CPD on financial integrity and ethics gives dated evidence that you understand why honesty matters and have recommitted to it.
Integrity matters turn on insight, so evidence of genuine reflection and learning is particularly important. Structured CPD on financial integrity and professional ethics, aligned with your CPD registration standard, helps you show that you understand the seriousness of the concern and have taken it to heart. Paired with a reflective account and steps that rebuild trust, it forms part of a credible response. It never guarantees an outcome, but for an integrity matter, demonstrated insight is what counts most. Browse the full range of CPD for nurses and midwives.
Matched to integrity concerns
Courses for a dishonesty or integrity notification
Structured CPD chosen for honesty, financial integrity and rebuilding trust, to help you evidence insight and remediation. Independent CPD you can use as evidence of remediation.
Financial Integrity for Healthcare Professionals
- Directly targets the financial integrity concern
- Understand the boundary around money and property
- Evidence your recommitment to honesty
Rebuilding Trust of Patients, Public and the National Boards
- Show how you will rebuild trust over time
- Address the heart of an integrity concern
- Evidence a genuine, forward-looking plan
Ethics and Ethical Standards for Nurses and Midwives
- Ground your response in professional ethics
- Show why honesty is fundamental to nursing
- Show the reasoning a Board looks for
How to Deal With a Notification or Investigation
- Understand each stage of the NMBA process
- Know what to do, and what to avoid, early
- Respond calmly and well prepared
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Why is dishonesty treated more seriously than a clinical error?
Because a skills gap can be addressed through education, but a breach of trust is harder to rebuild. Dishonesty goes to whether a nurse can be relied on, so integrity concerns often attract a more serious response.
What counts as an integrity concern for a nurse?
Conduct involving deception or misuse of position, such as theft, falsifying records or timesheets, fraudulent claims, misappropriating medicines, dishonesty about qualifications, or the financial exploitation of a vulnerable person in your care.
Is falsifying a timesheet a serious matter?
Yes. Even a small dishonest act is treated seriously because it goes to trust. The strongest response is to own it honestly, show genuine insight into why it was wrong, and evidence steps that rebuild trust.
What if I was dishonest but it was a one-off?
Context matters, and an isolated act handled with genuine honesty and insight is viewed differently from a pattern. The worst thing you can do is compound it by being dishonest with the Board about what happened.
Can being dishonest in my response make things worse?
Yes, significantly. Attempting to cover up or mislead the regulator can be treated as professional misconduct and is often more serious than the original concern. Honesty during the process is essential, and best done with advice.
Can I keep working during an integrity notification?
Sometimes, but integrity matters are more likely than most to attract immediate action if there is a serious risk. Whether your registration is restricted depends on the Board's assessment after a show cause process.
Can trust be rebuilt after a dishonesty finding?
It can, but it takes genuine, demonstrated insight over time rather than words alone. Honest accountability, targeted CPD and concrete steps that show you understand why honesty matters are what help rebuild trust.
Does CPD help with an integrity notification?
Yes. CPD on financial integrity and ethics, aligned with your CPD registration standard, gives dated evidence that you understand the seriousness and have recommitted to honesty. It never guarantees an outcome, but insight is what counts most here.
Dr Richard
Course Facilitator
A practising clinician with over 21 years of experience and postgraduate training in healthcare law and ethics, so every course reflects both clinical reality and Australian regulatory standards.
Written and reviewed by Dr Richard. Last reviewed . Read full profile
AHPRA Courses is an independent training provider. Our courses are structured CPD that practitioners can use as evidence of remediation. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Ahpra, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, or any other regulator. Courses provide evidence of remediation and do not determine the outcome of any matter. This article is general information, not legal advice. If you have received a notification, seek advice from your professional indemnity insurer or a health law solicitor.