WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A Kansas nurse is taking the Kansas State Board of Nursing to court after being accused of practicing without a valid license, a case that raises questions about whether public speaking on medical topics counts as nursing.

Amy Siple’s nursing license had lapsed when she stepped away from her career to care for her husband, who had cancer. It had expired for six months before she noticed. During that time, Siple would give speeches at conferences and at senior centers on dementia, her specialty.

The state board said the speaking events are a violation because it’s a form of practicing. Siple and her attorney argue it’s protected speech.

“No patients were ever at risk, I did not have a brain dump,” Siple said.

Now Siple faces a choice: being labeled “unprofessional

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