Ensuring the safety and well-being of patients is at the heart of nursing practice, requiring vigilant attention and unwavering dedication from healthcare professionals. Nurses are entrusted with the critical responsibility of providing continuous care and monitoring to their patients, particularly in specialized areas like pediatric care. However, instances where a nurse’s attentiveness is compromised can raise concerns about patient safety and the nurse’s fitness to fulfill their duties. When allegations regarding a nurse’s fitness to practice arise, a nurse attorney can provide expert guidance in navigating the legal complexities, advocating for the nurse’s interests, and promoting accountability within the healthcare profession.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a pediatric care facility in Amarillo, Texas, and had been in that position for five (5) years and four (4) months.
On or about November 2021, while employed as an RN at a pediatric care facility in Amarillo, Texas, and assigned to provide care to a patient, RN lacked fitness to practice vocational nursing in that she was sleeping during her shift. RN’s condition could have affected her ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in patients’ conditions, and could have affected his ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing the patients in potential danger.
In response, RN admits to “dozing off” while sitting up in a chair. RN explains that she had requested to go into work late, but the coordinator called her stating the patient’s mom requested that she go in at 6am.
The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10),(12)&(13) Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(B)&(1)(T) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A), (1)(B),(1)(E),(4)&(5).
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. 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.