Every person who wants to become a holder of a license in the state of Texas needs to go through several processes. First of all, there is a need to complete tertiary education in a nursing school. After graduation, the next step is to take the nursing board examination. The goal is to pass the said exam in order to become part of the professional RN and LVN in Texas. All these only show that the process is not really easy. Hence, every LVN or RN must take care of her license. One wrong move can result in the suspension or revocation of their license if not properly defended by a nurse attorney. The administrative body or agency that has the authority to hear cases regarding the nursing profession is the Texas Board of Nursing.
One of the recent cases filed before the Texas Board of Nursing involved an RN. During the time of the incident, the RN was employed in a medical center in Houston and had been in the position for three years already.
On or about January 9, 2016, an elderly gentleman was transported from a nursing home to a hospital emergency department where the RN was employed. The patient was complaining of shortness of breath. Upon further testing, it was discovered the patient was suffering from massive pulmonary emboli. The physician explained to the patient that the prognosis was quite poor, but offered to place an IVC filter anyway.
The patient agreed to the surgical procedure and made it clear to the physician that he did not want any heroic measures taken if he went into cardiopulmonary arrest. The doctor documented thoroughly—he mentioned the alert and animated state of the patient, quoting the patient directly with regards to his wishes to be a Do Not Resuscitate status while also noting the man’s poor prognosis.
After undergoing the IVC filter placement the patient experienced an uneventful recovery period (bed rest) and was allowed to ambulate to the restroom with the assistance of the RN.
Upon discovering that the patient’s oxygen tubing was too short the RN ran to get a longer length to walk with. As the RN was returning she heard family members in the hall calling for help. The patient was found on the floor of his room unresponsive.
The family members in the room, horrified, demanded that the patient receive a full intervention. The RN explained that the patient had specified to the doctor that he wanted no heroic measures taken. The son demanded that his father should receive life-saving measures because he was the power of attorney for his father and possessed the advanced directives that had been filled out by him for some time prior to this hospitalization.
Again, the RN explained that the patient’s current decision and the order entered by the doctor were things she could not go against.
Due to these events, the Texas Board of Nursing found her guilty and her RN license was suspended.
The story of the RN only shows how challenging it is to keep hold of your RN license in Texas. Make sure that you know how to avoid a similar situation like this from happening in the future. Prepare yourself by engaging the services of a nurse attorney.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas nurse attorney. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An by text or call nurse attorney Yong 24/7 at (832) 428-4579.