When facing any charges it is best to seek help from a nurse attorney. A nurse attorney is someone who represents RNs and LVNs in court. They are also the ones who react and make decisions quickly on demanding conditions.
However, some nurses tend to face these results instead without thinking that nurse attorneys are always reliable for matters such as these. This is exactly what happened to an RN in Kingwood.
On or about June 26, 2015, through July 6, 2015, while employed in a medical facility in Kingwood, the RN withdrew Hydrocodone, Morphine & Hydromorphone from the medication dispensing system for patients, but failed to document, or accurately and completely document the administration of the medications in the patients’ Medication Administration Record (MAR).
Her conduct was likely to injure the patients, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patients which could result in an overdose.
Additionally, her conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Subsequently, the RN misappropriated Hydrocodone, Morphine & Hydromorphone from the facility and patients thereof, or failed to take precautions to prevent the misappropriation of the medication from the facility and patients thereof. Additionally, on July 6, 2015, a vial of Hydromorphone was found in her personal bag. Her conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patients of the cost of the medications.
On July 6, 2015, the RN engaged in the intemperate use of Cannabinoid in that she submitted a specimen for drug screening that resulted positive for Cannabinoid. Possession of Cannabinoid is prohibited by Chapter 481 of the Texas Health & Safety Code (Controlled Substances Act). The use of Cannabinoid by a Registered Nurse, while subject to call or duty, could impair the nurse’s ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms or changes in the patient’s condition, and could impair the nurse’s ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing the patient in potential danger.
The Texas Board of Nursing gave the RN the chance to defend herself. However, she was not able to provide a good defense for herself, especially when the evidence was brought up to her. Therefore, the Board placed her RN license to a disciplinary action instead.
If you are summoned to appear before a licensing board regarding a disciplinary incident, you will need an experienced nurse attorney who knows how to handle nurse cases.
Attorney Yong J. An is a Texas nurse license defense lawyer that has a proven track record. He has over 16 years of experience handling Texas BON disciplinary action cases and has helped protect the license of numerous nurses in Texas. For a confidential consultation, call or text him at (832) 428-5679.