The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is the administrative agency that is responsible to hear and decide cases involving nurse licenses in Texas. This agency exists to ensure that professional nurses are equipped with the right set of skills to perform their duties. At the same time, it is also necessary that the nurses comply with the laws promulgated by the government as well as the administrative rules issued by the Board to keep their nurse license. To make nurses comply with the laws, they need a nurse attorney that especially when they are having hard times in dealing with cases.
For this reason, every nurse is expected to perform well in his or her daily practice. Otherwise, he can be subjected to a disciplinary proceeding before the Board of Nursing. In case that there is a violation, a complaint may be filed against the nurse involved. This is exactly what happened in the case of an RN who was employed for an elderly care facility in Temple, Texas.
On or about November 28, 2019, through November 29, 2019, while employed as an RN for an elderly care facility in Temple, Texas, RN did the following:
- failed to notify the physician when a patient had a significant change in condition, including agitation, increased confusion, disorientation, disrobing, yelling for help, and multiple falls. RN’s conduct deprived the physician of the opportunity to institute timely medical interventions to stabilize the patient.
- failed to assess vital signs and/or oxygen saturation when the above-mentioned patient was found on the floor, after multiple falls, at 0100. Instead, RN assessed for injuries, provided incontinence care, and left the patient on the floor mat with a pillow and blanket. At approximately 0240, staff found the patient unresponsive and in respiratory distress. RN’s conduct was likely to harm the patient from clinical decisions based on incomplete assessment information.
- performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the above-mentioned patient for approximately two (2) minutes, despite knowing the patient had a signed Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order. RN’s conduct deprived the patient of self-determination regarding medical interventions.
The above action constitutes grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(M),(1)(P)&(3)(A) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B)&(4).
The evidence against the RN nurse was strong. At the same time, she was not able to properly defend her case in court. As a result, her nursing license was revoked. She was no longer allowed to practice the nursing profession in Texas. Avoid a similar thing from happening on your end. Make sure to find the right defense attorney in case a complaint will be filed against you before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
Consult with Texas nurse attorney Yong J. An today 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. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for 16 years and represented over 150 nurses before the Texas BON.