Holding an RN license in Texas comes with certain obligations and responsibilities. If you want to continue practicing in the nursing profession, one of the important things that you need to do is to comply with the rules and regulations set by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Every RN in this state is subject to the jurisdiction of the Board of Nursing. Whenever there are administrative complaints against a nurse, the Board will have the authority to hear and decide the merits of the cases. But in case an RN will be in trouble with any cases, a nurse attorney can help and defend any RNs from such situations.
At the time of the incident on or about May 14, 20.14, while as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Longview, Texas, an RN lacked to practice professional nursing in that she underwent an art assessment to participate in the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) and was diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder. The RN was admitted and completed outpatient treatment. Furthermore, the RN was admitted to completing inpatient treatment for Ethyl, Alcohol (ETOH) the previous year, but relapsed and checked herself into detox, the RN’s condition could have affected her ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in the patient’s conditions, and could have affected her ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing the patients in potential danger. Further, the RN’s conduct may be indicative of an inability to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety.
On or about September 24, 2014, while participating in the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN), and while required to abstain from the use or consumption of alcohol, the RN engaged in the intemperate use of Alcohol in that she precluded specimen for a random urine drug screen which resulted positive for Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulfate, which are metabolites of Alcohol. The use of alcohol by a Registered Nurse, while subject to call or duty could impair the nurse’s ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in the patient’s condition, and could impair the nurse’s ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing the patient in potential danger.
In regards to the incident above, the RN states around May 14, 2014, after several unexpected life events, she realized she began to have an issue with alcohol. She sought help and completed inpatient and outpatient treatment. The RN states she was not employed at the time of this occurrence and chose to seek help to maintain sobriety. The RN also states that around September 2014, she relapsed once by drinking alcohol. She immediately sought help through local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups and a sponsor. The RN states this event has led to her current road to sobriety.
The RN’s conduct resulted from or was significantly influenced by the RN’s substance use disorder. The Board finds that there exist serious risks to public health and safety as a result of impaired nursing care due to intemperate use of controlled substances or substance use disorder.
Hence, the Texas Board of Nursing subjected the RN to disciplinary action pursuant to Section 301.452 (b)(9), (10), (12), (13), Texas Occupations Code. But the RN failed to hire an experienced nurse attorney for proper assistance, causing her to undergo such procedures.
Losing your LVN or RN license can compromise your career. However, a skilled nurse attorney can greatly help you in major cases such as this. For assistance regarding your nurse license case, it’s best to contact Nurse Attorney Yong J. An by contacting him at (832) 428-5679.