The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is the government agency that has jurisdiction to hear and decide administrative cases involving RN and LVN in Texas. It is also the agency that is responsible for overseeing the practice of professional nursing all over the state of Texas. Any RN or LVN who is guilty of violating state laws and issuances from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) may be subjected to penalties or fines if not properly defended by a skilled nurse attorney. As a matter of fact, the RN license and LVN license can even be suspended or revoked.
A perfect example of this incident happened to an RN who was then employed in a medical center in Dallas.
On or about April 2005 through August 2005, the RN improperly identified herself to patients of the aforementioned facilities by wearing a name tag with the title “Advanced Practice Nurse,” instead of correctly identifying herself as “Registered Nurse, Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner.”
Additionally, she signed documentation in the medical records by using the title “APN” instead of using the correct title of “RN, WHCNP.” Her conduct caused patients, staff and the public to be misinformed about Respondent’s credentials and resulted in incomplete medical records.
On the same dates, the RN exceeded her Board authorized scope of practice by managing medical aspects of care for male patients, including patients at three medical facilities.
Her was likely to injure patients from possibly non-efficacious and/or deleterious treatments.
The Texas Board of Nursing is the one who has full jurisdiction on cases involving RNs and LVNs. Therefore, the RN was summoned by the Texas Board of Nursing to explain her side. She states that, although she wore a name tag that identified her as an advanced practice nurse, she does not believe she was practicing in the advanced role at the time. The RNadmits that she was not aware that the using the title “APN” was not authorized and inappropriate, and states that she now documents her title as RN, WHCNP.
Regarding her care of patients, the RN states that she believed care of the male patient with a sexually transmitted disease was well within her authorized scope of practice, and that the facility’s medical director indicated to her that he considered HIV to be a sexually transmitted disease. She concludes that her infringement upon Board rules, if any, was completely unintentional, and that upon receiving the Board’s second notice of alleged violations, she restricted her practice to female patients only, and eventually was transferred within the other two hospitals, where she only provides care to adult female patients.
However, due to lack of evidence and expert nurse attorney to defend her, the RN was suspended and disciplined.
This is just one of the many cases why every nurse in Texas is expected to act with prudence in practicing the profession. Gross negligence, disobedience or any form of offense on the part of a RN or LVN is never excused.
Any type of accusations can be defended, as long as there is a skilled nurse attorney ready to assist you during the hearing before the Board of Nursing. The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction regarding cases that may affect an RN or LVN’s license from suspension, disciplinary action or revocation.
The RN lost the case simply because she failed to find an effective and efficient nurse attorney. Avoid committing the same mistake she did. Find the right nurse attorney in Texas to help you with your needs. Contact nurse attorney Yong J. An directly by calling or texting him at (832) 428-5679 for a discreet consultation.