A nurse attorney should be hired at all times whenever you undergo a case that may affect your RN license. This is what an RN from Texas should have done when she received a complaint regarding errors in her work. Take note that the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) can settle matters with a nurse attorney if one is present with the respondent during a case.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Arlington, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) months.
On or about September 15, 2019, through September 16, 2019, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to properly assess and/or document the assessment of patients under his care. 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.
On or about September 15, 2019, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew Ativan and Haldol 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 patient in that the administration of medications in excess frequency and/or dosage of the physician’s order could result in the patient suffering from adverse reactions/ Additionally, The RN’s conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substance Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
On or about September 15, 2019, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN failed to administer Ativan to a patient, as ordered by a physician. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that failure to administer medications as ordered by a physician could have resulted in non-efficacious treatment.
On or about September 15, 2019, the RN withdrew Morphine 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 medication. The RN’s s conduct left medications unaccounted for, was likely to deceive the hospital pharmacy and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substance Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
On or about September 15, 2019, the RN misappropriated Morphine belonging to the facility or patients thereof or failed to take precautions to prevent such misappropriation. The RN’s conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patients of the cost of the medications.
On or about September 15, 2019, the RN lacked the fitness to practice nursing in that he exhibited signs of impaired behavior while on duty, including dozing off, falling over while standing, and continuous fatigue. The RN’s condition could have affected his ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in patient’s conditions, and could have affected his ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing the patients in potential danger.
The RN states that on September 15, 2019, while employed, he experienced a hypoglycemic event which made him seem as though he may have been impaired. At their request, the RN provided Midland Memorial Hospital with a negative for a cause drug screen. He was then taken to a separate facility by a family member where he was diagnosed with hypoglycemia. The RN maintains the nursing practice events were due to his hypoglycemia and his being pulled off the floor before he could complete his nursing duties. The RN denies misappropriating morphine. The RN provided the facility with another negative drug screen prior to returning to work after September 15, 2019.
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing believed that there is not enough evidence to support the RN’s defense.
Because of this incident, the Texas Board of Nursing subjected the RN and her nursing license to disciplinary action.
The accusation would have been defended by an experienced and skilled nurse attorney if only the RN had hired one. Hiring a nurse attorney for defense is applicable for any kind of accusation laid against an RN or LVN.
For more details and to schedule a confidential consultation, you must approach one of the most experienced nurse attorneys in Texas, Nurse Attorney Yong J. An. He has assisted numerous nursing license cases since 2006. You may contact him by dialing (832)-428-567 if you wish to learn more information should you undergo accusations or any other case that may affect your license.