Final answer:
Falsifying certificates and submitting them to the KBN is illegal, could result in criminal charges, and lead to the loss of a nursing license and damage to professional reputation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a nurse decides to "correct" the dates on old certificates of completion and submit photocopies of the documents to the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN), this would constitute falsifying official documents which is considered a serious offense both legally and professionally. Engaging in such a practice could lead to a variety of negative consequences including the possibility of criminal charges for fraud, the invalidation of the nurse's credentials, disciplinary action by the KBN such as a revocation of the nursing license, and damage to the nurse's professional reputation. In terms of ethical standards within the healthcare profession, truthfulness and integrity are paramount. Hence, any act of deception is a breach of professional conduct that can undermine trust in the healthcare system. It is crucial for anyone in the nursing profession to maintain honesty in all their professional undertakings.