In the state of Texas, there are various requirements for anyone wishing to pursue a career as a professional nurse. This is why it is important to be cautious in your job to avoid complaints or charges. Without the help of a nurse attorney, you might get suspended by the Texas Board of Nursing.
On December 10, 2020, while working as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Kingsville, Texas, the RN admitted to trying self-harm, raising concerns deeming her unfit to practice her profession. She was then assessed, and based on the results, she had been asked not to report for work and was referred to the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses.
On February 26, 2021, the registered nurse provided a sample for a drug test, which results showed the presence of the alcohol metabolites ethyl glucuronide at (54,500ng/mL) and ethyl sulfate at (9510 ng/mL)
In response to the said incident, the RN stated that she went to the emergency room for a minor laceration on her wrist that required three (3) stitches. She was assessed by a mental health specialist and then cleared for discharge. The RN claimed that she informed her nurse manager of what had occurred and that she had not attempted s**ci**e but that she deliberately cut herself in the area of her wrist and cut it more deeply than intended. The registered nurse reports that she had two (2) glasses of wine at the airport on her way back from a visit when she was taking part in TPAPN. According to the RN, she had no idea that she would be subjected to an alcohol test. The registered nurse claims the evaluation she got from the physician contained serious errors, one of which said she was seen in the emergency department (ED) for mental treatment. This claim was blatantly and almost carelessly incorrect.
According to the registered nurse, the program’s emphasis on substance misuse overshadowed the mental health facet. The RN indicates that she has been seeing a therapist every two (2) weeks and plans to continue therapy.
The Texas Board of Nursing will take disciplinary action and may impose additional fines as a result of the RN’s actions. The evidence presented is sufficient to indicate that there is a violation(s) and cause under Section 301.452(b)(10) and (13).
This is why you should seek out and contact a nurse attorney with many years of experience and knowledge, such as Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, to ensure you never lose your license. Reach out to Nurse Attorney Yong at (832)-428-5679 to discuss further details of your concerns.
The stigma revolving around mental health is somehow what prohibits people from getting treated. However, we must understand the importance of not just being physically healthy but also being mentally healthy. We can’t be of service to people who are sick when we’re sick ourselves.