Select Page

Leaving your nursing assignment while on duty without notification to the present Registered Nurse is a violation. This may result in a great risk of harm to patients. It is also considered negligence of duty. An RN having such a violation will be summoned by the Board and will be sanctioned. Before facing the Board, an RN should come prepared by having a nurse attorney for the defense. An example of such a violation happened to an RN at Victoria, Texas.

At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Victoria, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) months.

On or about April 5, 2018, while employed as an RN at a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Victoria, Texas, and assigned to provide nursing care for a patient, RN did the following:

1. RN inappropriately overshared personal information regarding her own mother’s similar diagnosis to that of the patient and failed to respect the patient’s boundaries. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that it could have resulted in confusion between the needs of the nurse and those of the patient, which may not be recognized or felt by the patient until harmful consequences occur.

2. RN left her nursing assignment early, without notifying the appropriate personnel, and transferred care to the patient’s older brother. Additionally, the patient’s brother was not familiar with providing the patient’s medical care, including working a feeding bag and feeding tube, which became clogged. RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patient in that leaving the nursing assignment could have resulted in the patient not getting the care they needed.

In response, RN states she shared with the patient about her mother’s diagnosis and asked if she would like to see pictures to be used as a learning tool/teaching method. According to RN, the patient was receptive to the idea. RN explains as she showed the patient the pictures, she appeared interested and curious as to what her mother was going through emotionally and physically. RN states that the patient showed no nonverbal behavioral signs of looking uncomfortable. Furthermore, RN states the patient stated she wanted her brother to watch over her and for her to leave. RN explains that she gave a full report to the patient’s brother and he (the patient’s brother) verbalized that he understood that the patient wanted RN to leave and wanted him to watch over her.

The above actions constitute grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(I)&(1)(J) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(B),(4),(6)(D)&(12).

Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing found her guilty of her deeds. Her RN license was subjected to disciplinary action. She did not hire a skilled Texas BON attorney to fully defend her case which led to this decision by the Texas Board of Nursing.

Make sure that you will not make the same mistake as the RN mentioned above in her case before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Contact a Texas nurse attorney today who can provide you with a confidential consultation and evaluate your case and counsel you on the best steps to take. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for 16 years and represented over 150 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact Mr. An by calling or texting him 24/7 directly at (832) 428-5679.

Jul21R644415MO