In the realm of healthcare, where reliability and accountability are essential, allegations of receiving payment for unworked hours can be a significant professional challenge. When nurses find themselves entangled in such situations, the expertise of a nurse attorney can be indispensable. The dual proficiency in nursing and law equips a nurse attorney to provide invaluable support and guidance, ensuring that nurses facing accusations related to payment irregularities receive fair treatment and due process.
At the time of the incident, she was employed as an RN at a medical facility in Temple, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and seven (7) months.
On or about June 10, 2020, June 23, 2020, July 29, 2020, and August 7, 2020, while employed as an RN at a medical facility in Temple, Texas, RN received payment for hours she did not work. Specifically, RN entered the facility to clock in, then left the facility and did not physically stay on the unit. RN’s conduct was likely to defraud and deceive the facility of money paid to the RN for hours not actually worked.
In response, RN states she did not clock in and leave the facility. RN states during her shift, she stepped outside the building to take a phone call on multiple occasions and then went back inside. RN states any tasks that were supposed to be completed were completed and all patients were attended to. RN denies trying to defraud the facility and denies accepting payment for hours not worked.
The above action constitutes 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)&(3) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B), (4),(6)(A)&(6)(H).
It’s too bad that she failed to hire a nurse attorney for assistance, knowing that she had every reason to defend herself in the first place. As a result, the Texas Board of Nursing decided to place her RN license under disciplinary action. Her defense would have gotten better if she sought legal consultation from a Texas nurse attorney as well.
So, if you’re facing a complaint from the Board, it’s best to seek legal advice first. 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 17 years and represented over 500 nurses before the Texas BON. To contact him, please dial (832)-428-5679 for a confidential consultation or for more inquiries.