The RN nurse profession in the state of Texas is imbued with public interest. This is the reason why many laws and statutes were enacted to regulate the acts and duties of every person obtaining a professional nursing license. In fact, the government has created an administrative body that has the power and authority to deal with all cases arising from or relating to practicing LVN or RN nurse. This agency is called the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).
A lot of individuals are charged before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) for violation of certain laws, rules, and regulations. The Board can order the suspension or revocation of a nursing license depending on several factors. In the case of an RN nurse named Belle, she was removed from the list of professional nurses in Texas after the Board found her guilty of the charged against her.
While employed as a licensed vocational nurse in a hospital in Texas, she misappropriated Hydrocone and Dilaudid from the facility and patients thereof or failed to take the precautions to prevent such misappropriation. The conduct of respondent was likely to defraud the facility and the patient of he cost of the medications. It is clear from her acts that she wanted to get some benefits for herself at the expense of others.
Sec. 301.452. Grounds for Disciplinary Action.
(a)In this section, intemperate use includes practicing nursing or being on duty or on call while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
(b) A person is subject to denial of a license or to disciplinary action under this subchapter for:
(1) a violation of this chapter, a rule or regulation not inconsistent with this chapter, or an order issued under this chapter;
(2) fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing;
(3) a conviction for, or placement on deferred adjudication community supervision or deferred disposition for, a felony or for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
(4) conduct that results in the revocation of probation imposed because of conviction for a felony or for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
(5) use of a nursing license, diploma, or permit, or the transcript of such a document, that has been fraudulently purchased, issued, counterfeited, or materially altered;
(6) impersonating or acting as a proxy for another person in the licensing examination required under Section 301.253 or 301.255;
(7) directly or indirectly aiding or abetting an unlicensed person in connection with the unauthorized practice of nursing;
(8) revocation, suspension, or denial of, or any other action relating to, the person’s license or privilege to practice nursing in another jurisdiction or under federal law;
(9) intemperate use of alcohol or drugs that the board determines endangers or could endanger a patient;
(10) unprofessional conduct in the practice of nursing that is likely to deceive, defraud, or injure a patient or the public;
(11) adjudication of mental incompetency;
(12) lack of fitness to practice because of a mental or physical health condition that could result in injury to a patient or the public; or
(13) failure to care adequately for a patient or to conform to the minimum standards of acceptable nursing practice in a manner that, in the board’s opinion, exposes a patient or other person unnecessarily to a risk of harm.
The RN nurse waived the representation by a legal counsel. As such, there was no proper defense lawyer who helped her in dealing with the case. In fact, the RN nurse even submitted a notarized statement voluntarily surrendering her right to practice professional nursing in the state of Texas. The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) accepts the voluntary surrender of the license. Therefore, the RN nurse could no longer validly practice nursing in Texas.
Consult with Texas LVN RN 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.