A licensed nurse in Texas whether an RN or an LVN can and may be subjected to a disciplinary proceeding before the Texas Board of Nursing. Whenever an LVN or RN finds herself in such a situation, she will need to find the best nurse attorney in the country. This is important, as it is her only chance to protect her license. Otherwise, the Board of Nursing may find her guilty in the administrative case and order for the revocation of her license.
At the time of the initial incident, the RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Allen, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) years and six (6) months.
It was on or about December 22, 2018, through December 29, 2018, the RN failed to timely assess a patient or ensure that a Staff LVN went to assess the patient after being informed multiple times by staff of his continued cough and congestion despite treatment of symptoms with Robitussin, and failed to timely arrange a physician evaluation of the patient’s condition. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that significant changes in the patient’s respiratory status may have gone undetected and prevented a timely intervention.
It was then that the RN states that she authorized Robitussin on December 22nd one time for cough, and then the next day she was called by the patient’s sister who reported that he was coughing. The RN also states that she told her if she was concerned about the cough she should take him to the ER for assessment and treatment. The RN added that due to the patient’s severe compulsion disorder and hearing impairment, the patient’s sister had always accompanied him to every medical appointment, as he could become quite agitated with strange people and situations. The RN then states that she asked the office manager twice to schedule a doctor’s appointment for the patient for two days of reported cough. And that she saw the patient on December 26th and 27th in the nursing offices when the patient came by as part of his custodial job, and the patient was seen by herself and other nurses on those days, and staff reported no cough.
As a result, the RN was given disciplinary action by the Board. And also, her lack of an experienced nurse attorney to properly defend her case led to the suspension of her license which also affected her career as an RN. The RN was also said to be under probation due to her misconduct.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.