Being a registered nurse 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 or LVN nurse in this state is subject to the jurisdiction of the Board. Whenever there are criminal, civil, or administrative complaints against registered nurses, the Board will have the authority to hear and decide the merits of the cases. Along with the case faced by every nurse in Texas, a nurse attorney can be every nurse’s answer to their problems.
An LVN from Mesquite, Texas was involved in many incidents and on or about June 14, 2019, the Board provided notice to the LVN that an investigation was being initiated into alleged violations of the Nursing Practice Act and/or the Board’s Rules and Regulations Relating to Nurse Education, Licensure, and Practice, as follows:
On or about May 25, 2019, while employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital facility and assigned to the Infirmary Unit in Mesquite, Texas, the LVN failed to assess and intervene after a patient inmate complained of new-onset abdominal pain; furthermore, the LVN refused to assist the inmate as he was begging you for help; subsequently, the inmate was transported to the emergency room and expired.
On or about August 21, 2019, the Board provided notice to the LVN that an investigation was being initiated into alleged violations of the Nursing Practice Act and/or the Board’s Rules and Regulations Relating to Nurse Education, Licensure, and Practice, as follows:
On or about May 25, 2019, while employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, the LVN failed to notify the provider after the patient inmate complained of abdominal pain. The LVN also failed to provide an accurate report to the registered nurse and provider with regards to the inmate’s signs and symptoms of vomiting, thrashing around on the floor and yelling. Furthermore, the LVN refused to provide care to the inmate as he was begging the LVN for help. Instead, the LVN yelled at the patient. Subsequently, the patient inmate was transported to the emergency room and expired.
On or about June 4, 2019, while employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, the LVN failed to notify the provider or document in the medical record after the patient sustained a fall in the shower. Instead, the LVN reported the incident to the oncoming nurse. Additionally, the LVN provided the patient with a walker without a valid physician’s order.
On or about June 18, 2019, while employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, the LVN administered Tylenol 3 to the patient in excess of the physician’s order.
On December 4, 2019, the Board received a notarized statement from the LVN and voluntarily surrendered the right to practice nursing in Texas. A copy of LVN’s statement, dated December 2, 2019, is attached and incorporated herein by reference as part of this Order.
The LVN’s failure to find the right attorney to handle her case which is essential to the case, had a toll on her. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) rendered a decision as to what will happen to her nursing license with its finality. She was not able to appeal the case due again to the same reason that she did not have a reliable nurse attorney.
What happened to the LVN was very unfortunate. If you ever find yourself in the same situation as she was never hesitate to consult with Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, if you have any questions about your response letter or the disciplinary process by calling or texting him at (832) 428-5679 day, night or weekends.