When the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has a complaint against you, you should seek the nurse attorney. Any RN or LVN found guilty for violating the state laws and regulations may be subjected to a disciplinary case such as revocation or suspension of her RN or LVN license.
The trend is for employers to refer a case to the Texas BON to discipline nurse and at the same time terminate your employment in most of the cases.
Two of the best examples include the following:
On or about January 23, 2016, through January 25, 2016, while employed in a rehab center in Webster, Texas, the LVN falsely documented the administration of Dilaudid for a patient in the Patient’s Medication Administration Record. Subsequently, the LVN also misappropriated 10 Dilaudid 2mg vials belonging to the facility or patient’s thereof or failed to take precautions to prevent such misappropriation.
Additionally, on or about March 22, 2017, the LVN’s license to practice professional nursing in the State of Louisiana was suspended by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
The LVN was given the chance to defend herself. She stated that she pulled 10mg Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) from the Med-Dispense and thought she had given the meds to the assigned nurse for the patient. However, his memories of that weekend are not that great.
She also stated that she was in the process of moving to Louisiana at the time and was unaware as to why she had been terminated. The LVN stated that as the Charge Nurse, she takes full responsibility for any and everything that happened on her watch. The LVN further stated that she understood there are consequences to this situation and she has no problem with being held accountable.
The Board of Nursing finds that the LVN’s conduct not only created an inaccurate medical record and failure to administer medications as ordered by the physician could have resulted in non-efficacious treatment. Additionally, it could also defraud the facility and the patient of the cost of medications.
Because of this incident, the LVN and her license were disciplined and suspended.
Another incident involving an LVN happened on or about October 20, 2016. During the time of the incident, the LVN was employed in a healthcare service center and assigned to a patient. The LVN lacked fitness to practice professional nursing in that she was observed sleeping while on duty. Her conduct was likely to injure the patient in that it adversely affected her ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms or changes in the 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 patient in potential danger.
The LVN stated that the night in question was the second day of her orientation of an overnight shift. She stated that she has a full-time day job as well. She further added that in a 48 hour period, she totaled 7 hours and 30 minutes of sleep. She stated that after 5 pm, she did drift off at some point while she was coloring, but she does not think she was out for more than a minute or so. She stated that she snorted and immediately awoke and began pacing the floors.
The LVN was not given a chance to defend due to her confession, which was enough evidence for the BON to place her license into suspension. However, a skilled and experienced nurse attorney would have assisted her in the case. Take note that nurse attorneys are professionals who can help you out in such cases that might compromise you from continuing your duties.
However, always remember that these professionals are only there to help with the best they can, which means you have to assist them as well. For any cases similar to this matter, it’s recommended to hire a nurse attorney immediately. You may contact Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, which is experienced in handling nursing cases for more than 14 years, by dialing him at (832)-428-567 for inquiries and consultation.