In the past years, the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is known to have regularly filed cases against nurses that resulted in the revocation of their professional licenses. A licensed nurse charged with a violation or omission of action needs to be assisted by proper legal counsel in order to present her defenses in a proper way. The assistance of a good nurse attorney also comes in handy in ensuring that the legal procedure is being followed.
At the time of the incident, an LVN was employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at a hospital in Lewisville, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and four (4) months.
On or about October 9, 2018, while employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, and responding to a page to assist in the Adolescent Forensic Program Unit with the patient, the LVN failed to intervene when, during restraint application, staff repeatedly jerked and pulled on the client’s arms and legs in a manner that was likely to injure the client. The LVN also failed to intervene when during restraint application, staff pulled and lifted the patient by her shirt and shirt sleeve, exposing the client’s left breast. The patient, who was diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features, struggled for about ten minutes with more than ten staff members before being secured in the restraint chair. The LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the client due to the inappropriate application of physical restraint.
In response to the incident, the LVN states she was the nurse on duty at the time of the event and was called to assist with a combative patient. The LVN states, that while she was present, along with other mental health workers and her supervising RN, she was not involved physically with the restraint. The LVN states she assisted with applying mechanical restraints once the patient was transitioned to the mechanical chair.
Unfortunately, without an effective nurse attorney to defend her case, the Texas Board of Nursing decided to take disciplinary action against the LVN.
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.