The Texas Board of Nursing is known to be very strict when it comes to all actions of nurses, which is why a nurse attorney is needed when attending hearings before the Board. The Texas Board of Nursing does not allow those who wish to exceed the scope of their practice as an RN or LVN.
An RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Allen, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and three (3) months.
It was on or about May 25, 2016, the RN withdrew one (1) syringe of Hydromorphone 2mg from the medication dispensing system of a patient but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedures for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The RN’s conduct left medications unaccounted for, was likely to deceive the hospital pharmacy, and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
And on or about May 25, 2016, the RN misappropriated one (1) syringe of Hydromorphone 2mg to a patient or failed to take precautions to prevent such misappropriation. The RN’s conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patient of the cost of the medications.
Then on or about August 12, 2016, through September 10, 2016, the RN withdrew fifteen (15) syringes of Meperidine 50mg from the medication dispensing system for patients in excess frequency and /or dosage of the physician’s order. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients in that the administration of medications in excess frequency/ dosage of the physician’s order could result in the patients suffering from adverse reactions. Additionally, the RN’s conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
In response to the incidents above, the RN states, there were numerous times the equipment did not function properly at the Center. Further, the RN states there were times she didn’t have a witness available, and she inadvertently disposed of the remainder of vials in sharps containers. The RN states she submitted to two (2) drug screens at CCMC and both were negative.
The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction over all cases that may affect the RN license. The strictness of the Board also ensures that nurses will only commit to the duties they are assigned to in order to guarantee accurate and excellent performance in all hospitals throughout the state of Texas.
As a result, the Texas Board of Nursing decided to sentence her RN license to disciplinary action to ensure that she will never commit such acts again.
The case would have yielded a different result if the LVN was able to hire a nurse attorney. So if you also have the same cases or concerns, it’s best to contact Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, for further details. You may contact him at (832) 428-5679 to get a schedule for a confidential consultation.