In every proceeding before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON), the first thing that you need to remember is to get the assistance of a nurse attorney. At this point, it is important to note that exercising your right to legal counsel will be beneficial on your part. Keep in mind that even if a nurse attorney does not represent you, the proceeding or hearing of your case will continue. When this happens, there is a high probability that you will eventually lose in the case.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a health facility in Pharr, Texas, and had been in that position for five (5) months.
8On or about November 4, 2020, and November 6, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the said RN withdrew Ketorolac, Tramadol, and Ondansetron from the medication dispensing system for patients, but failed to document and/or accurately and completely document the administration of the medication in the patients’ Medication Administration Record (MAR) and/or Nurses’ Notes. The RN’s conduct could have injured the patients, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patients, which could result in an overdose. Additionally, it placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 483 (Dangerous Drugs Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
9It was on or about November 4, 2020, through November 7, 2020, while employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew Ketorolac, Tramadol, and Morphine from the medication dispensing system for patients, but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedures for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The conduct of the said RN left medications unaccounted for, may have deceived the hospital pharmacy, and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) and Chapter 483 (Dangerous Drugs Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Concerning the events that occurred, the said RN states all medications were documented in the patients’ medical records according to the physician’s orders and hospital policies and procedures, and all medications dispensed and requiring a waste were wasted appropriately according to the physician’s orders and hospital policies and procedures. There were no medications unaccounted for. There are medications listed in this order that do not require a waste (i.e.; ondansetron, promethazine). Medications not requiring a waste were administered per physician’s orders and hospital policies and procedures. Medications that did require a waste were wasted with another RN according to hospital policy and procedures, with no documented discrepancies.
As a matter of fact, the above case was just one of those common cases that RNs and LVNs are facing. Most of these cases may result in discipline, suspension, or revocation of license. But as the LVN involve in the incident above, she was put into disciplinary proceedings by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Any type of accusation can be defended, as long as there is a skilled nurse attorney ready to assist you during the hearing before the Board of Nursing. The Texas Board of Nursing has full jurisdiction regarding cases that may affect an RN or LVN’s license from suspension, disciplinary action, or revocation.
The RN lost the case simply because she failed to find an effective and efficient nurse attorney. Avoid committing the same mistake she did. Find the right nurse attorney in Texas to help you with your needs. Contact nurse attorney Yong J. An, directly by calling or texting him at (832) 428-5679 for a discreet consultation.