Losing your license may greatly affect your future career, but only if you fail to hire a nurse attorney for the case. There are some RNs and LVNs who missed their chances to get their license saved from revocation just because they weren’t able to hire an experienced and effective nurse attorney to defend them. Unfortunately, this RN from El Paso, Texas happens to be one of them.
On or about October 8, 2014, an LVN from Austin failed to take precautions to prevent the misappropriation of one (1) tablet of Tramadol 50mg, three tablets of Hydrocodone/APAP 10/325mg, and one injection of Hydromorphone mg/1ml belonging to the facility and patients thereof.
On or about October 15, 2014, the LVN withdrew two (2) tabs of chronic painkiller 7.5mg/325mg, four (4) tabs of Hydrocodone/APAP 10/325mg, one (1) injection of Hydromorphone 2mg/1ml, and two (2) tabs of Acetaminophen/Codeine 300/30mg from the medication dispensing system for patients but failed to document, and/or accurately and completely document the administration of the medications in the patient’s Medication Administration Record (MAR) and/or Nurses’ Notes.
The LVN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patients, which could result in an overdose. Additionally, Respondent’s conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
The RN defended herself by acknowledging she was dealing with some difficult life situations and was distracted during this time frame and probably not making the best decisions as a nurse with regard to her documenting her administration of medications. She ensured she provided good care to her patients and her patients received all of the medications they were supposed to receive.
However, she acknowledged she did not always follow the policy and procedures for documentation and wastage. That being said, she strongly denies she ever misappropriated any medications from any facility or that she was under the influence of any of those medications while practicing as a nurse. She wants to reinforce there is absolutely no evidence her mistakes caused any of the patients under her care to be over-medicated, under-medicated, or caused any patient harm.
Unfortunately, with the lack of an effective nurse attorney to defend her case, the Texas Board of Nursing decided to take disciplinary action against the RN.
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.