The accusation is the beginning of struggles for any RN. Once an accusation became a formal charge against an RN could lead to a serious penalty and could cause your license. But such a matter can be handled by a nurse attorney. Nurses around the world should know ways how to defend themselves in case a scenario happens.
There was an RN who does not know the benefits of having a nurse attorney is facing accusations. The RN was employed at a hospital facility in Beaumont, Texas, and had been in that position for ten (10) years and eleven (11) months.
On or about February 12, 2018, through July 2, 2018, the RN’s conduct may indicate a current lack of fitness to practice nursing with responsible skill and safety in that the RN engaged in drug-seeking behavior and visited several emergency departments and received pain medication. Further, some of the visits were on the same day. The RN’s behavior could have affected her ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in conditions, and could have affected her ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing patients in potential danger.
Another incident was on or about September 3, 2018, through September 29, 2018, the RN withdrew two (2) tablets of Benadryl 50mg and seven (7) tablets of Phenergan 25mg, from the medication dispensing system for patients but failed to document and/or completely and accurately document the administration of the medications in the patient’s Medication Administration Record (MAR) and/ or Nurses’ Notes.
The RN’s conduct was likely to injure patients in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patients which could result in an overdose.
Additionally, due to the RN’s conduct, it placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
In response to the incidents above The RN states that there were several issues with the facility’s medication documentation system. She also states she isn’t aware of any policy for wasting non-narcotics and states it was standard practice to dispose of any unused portion of the non-narcotic medication in the sharps container.
Due to the above-mentioned incidents, the RN was subjected to disciplinary action by the Board. The RN failed to hire a nurse attorney for her case and now facing the consequence of her actions.
If you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process, you can contact The Law Office of RN License Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 and ask for attorney Yong.