Coppell A skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced nurse attorney can provide the utmost assistance over cases that you may deny committing. However, a lack of a nurse attorney could subject you and your license to any possible sanction depending on the severity of your misconduct or any violations you may commit.
On or about July 21, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Coppell, Texas, the RN lacked the fitness to practice professional nursing in that she was seen falling asleep and slurring her speech. The RN’s condition could have affected her ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in 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.
On or about July 30, 2020, through August 21, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN misappropriated two (2) Fentanyl patches belonging to the Patient. The RN’s conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patients thereof of the cost of the medications,
On or about August 7, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN engaged in the intemperate use of Oxycodone, Amphetamines, and Hydrocodone in that she submitted a specimen for screening that resulted in positive for Oxycodone, Amphetamines, and Hydrocodone. Additionally, the RN admitted she had taken her husband’s Percocet and overused her Adderall and Hydrocodone prescriptions. Unlawful possession of Oxycodone, Amphetamines, and Hydrocodone is prohibited by Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health & Safety Code. The use of Oxycodone, Amphetamines, and Hydrocodone by a Nurse, while subject to call or duty, could impair the nurse’s ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing a patient in potential danger.
On or about August 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to assess seven (7) patients. The RN also failed to completely and accurately document the medical records of the Patients. And the RN lacked the fitness to practice professional nursing in that she exhibited impaired judgment and decision-making while on duty.
The RN’s conduct resulted in an inaccurate medical record and was likely to injure the patient in that subsequent caregivers would not have complete information on which to base their care decisions. In addition, the RN’s condition could have affected her ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in 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.
On or about June 29, 2021, the RN entered a plea of Guilty to FRAUD, 2nd Degree Felony committed on August 5, 2020, in the 39th District Court of Haskell County, Texas, under Cause No. 7097. As a result of the conviction, the RN was sentenced to confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, institutional division for a period of five (5) years, however, imposition of the sentence of confinement was suspended, and the RN was placed on probation for a period of five (5) year and ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
In response, the RN states in July of 2020, she removed two Fentanyl patches from narcotic cabinet at two different times from her employer. She removed the patches for her own personal use as she does have a history of addiction.
As a result, the RN was given disciplinary action by the Board. And also, her lack of an experienced nurse attorney to properly defend her case led to an unfavorable outcome for her which also affected her career as an RN. The RN was also said to be under probation due to her misconduct.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of Nurse Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.