The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has the jurisdiction to hear and decide cases involving the practice of professional nursing in Texas. Any RN or LVN found guilty of violating the state laws and regulations may be subjected to a disciplinary case if not properly defended by a nurse attorney.
At the time of the incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse with the Labor and
Delivery (L&D) Unit at a hospital in Austin, Texas, and had been in that position for twenty-two (22) years and ten (10) months.
On or about November 27, 2019, the RN failed to promptly notify the physician when the patient’s fetus experienced prolonged, recurring decelerations. Subsequently, the patient required an emergency cesarean section; the infant sustained a hypoxic injury and was transferred to a higher level of care.
The RN’s conduct exposed the patient’s fetus to the risk of injury from decreased oxygen; including hypoxemia.
In response to the incident, the RN states appropriate interventions were implemented prior to contacting the physician and the charge nurse was also aware of the patient’s status. The RN further states she contacted the provider by cell phone, relaying the patient’s status; the provider instructed her to complete the amnioinfusion and to call again in fifteen (15) minutes. The RN also states the provider told her during the second telephone call that he was on his way to the hospital and to prepare the patient for a cesarean section.
As a result, the Texas Board of Nursing placed her RN license to disciplinary action. It’s too bad that she failed to hire a nurse attorney for assistance, knowing that she had every reason to defend herself in the first place. Her defense would have gotten better if she actually sought legal consultation from a Texas nurse attorney as well.
So if you’re facing a complaint from the Board, it’s best to seek legal advice first. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is willing to assist every nurse in need of immediate help for nurse licensing cases. To contact him, please dial (832)-428-5679 for a confidential consultation or for more inquiries.