The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is one of the government agencies in the state of Texas that is responsible for regulating the practice of profession in the country. It was established for the sole purpose of ensuring that the nurses are properly regulated to promote public health and safety. This Board exercises administrative functions as well as quasi-judicial functions. This means that it has the authority to promulgate rules and regulations that must be followed by all the RN or LVN nurses. At the same time, it can also render judgement that can affect the validity of nursing licenses. When facing accusations of placing a patient’s life in potential danger, it is essential to consult a nurse attorney before facing the Texas BON.
Here is a case of an RN in 2020. At the time of the incident, RN was employed at a pediatric health care agency in Harlingen, Texas, and had been in that position for ten (10) months.
On or about March 9, 2020, while employed as a RN at a pediatric health care agency in Harlingen, Texas, RN failed to safely handle and reposition a pediatric while applying a pulse oximeter to her foot, in that while holding the patient’s left ankle the patient sustained an injury to her leg. Subsequently, the patient was taken directly to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with a non-displaced spiral fracture to the distal tibia of her left leg. RN’s conduct created an unsafe environment and unnecessarily exposed the patient to injury.
In response, RN states that she unraveled the pulse oximeter and with her left hand held the pulse oximeter along the inner side of the patient’s foot in order to apply her sock after the procedure. RN states that as she was wrapping the pulse oximeter probe around her left toe the patient jerked inward and a crack sound was heard. RN states that she immediately placed the patient’s foot down and assessed the patient. RN states that the patient exhibited a grimacing facial expression, and she immediately went to call the primary caregiver and explained to her what she was doing and what she heard. RN states that she and the patient’s mother took him to the emergency department, where she was diagnosed with a distal tibial fracture.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B)&(1)(M) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A), (1)(B),(4)&(6)(C).
However, without enough evidence to prove she’s not guilty, the RN lost the case. This is the reason why the Texas Board of Nursing placed her RN license under disciplinary action.
If you ever undergo cases such as this, it’s best to seek the assistance of a good nurse attorney as it could make the case better in your favor. Be sure to find a nurse attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in several nurse cases to ensure the best assistance possible.
If you also received a letter from the Texas Board of Nursing regarding a case or complaint filed on you, you should hire a nurse attorney immediately before it’s too late. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is willing to assist every nurse in need of immediate help for nurse licensing cases. He is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. To contact him, please dial (832) 428-5679 for a confidential consultation or for more inquiries.