An experienced nurse attorney has surely helped a lot of RNs and LVNs when it comes to cases that may lead to disciplinary action. Unfortunately, not all nurses were able to hire a nurse attorney as they underwent such cases.
At the time of the incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Midland, Texas, and had been in that position for two (2) months.
On or about September 3, 2018, through September 17, 2018, while utilizing a Privilege to Practice (PTP) nursing from the State of Texas and employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew Hydromorphone, Fentanyl, Morphine, and Oxycodone from the medication dispensing system for patients but failed to document and/or accurately and completely document the administration of the medication in the patient’s Medication Administration Record (MAR) and/or Nurses Notes. The RN’s conduct was likely to injure the patients, in that subsequent caregivers would rely on her documentation to further medicate the patients, which could result in an overdose. Additionally, the RN’s conduct placed the hospital in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substance Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
On or about August l, 2018 through September 17, 2018, while utilizing a Privilege to Practice (PTP) nursing from the State of Texas and employed as a Registered Nurse, the RN withdrew Fentanyl, Lorazeparu Hydromorphone, Morphine, and Oxycodone from the medication dispensing system for patients but failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedure for wastage of the unused portions of the medications. The RN’s conduct left medications unaccounted for, was likely to deceive the hospital pharmacy, and placed the pharmacy in violation of Chapter 481 (Controlled Substance Act) of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
On or about August l, 2018 through September 17, 2018, the RN misappropriated 50mcg of Fentanyl from a patient, 150mcg of Fentanyl from Patient 1, 1.5mg of Lorazepam from Patient 2, 225mcg of Fentanyl, and 0.5mg of Hydromorphone from Patient 3, I mg of Hydromorphone from Patient 4, 75mcg of Fentanyl from Patient 5, 150mcg of Fentanyl from Patient 6, 100mcg of Fentanyl and 4mg of Morphine from Patient 7, and two (2) tabs of Oxycodone 5/325 from Patient 8, belonging to the facility and patients thereof, or failed to take precautions to prevent such misappropriation. The RN’s conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patients thereof of the cost of the medications.
In response to the incidents, the RN admits she failed to properly waste medications in the computer system while working as a Registered Nurse in the emergency department at Canyon Vista Medical Center. She states it was not done with poor intention and she found herself working in a very busy, fast-paced environment, and was having difficulty keeping up and learning the flow and charting system. The RN states she was taken off orientation status rather quickly and when she spoke to her preceptor about needing more education, she was denied and was told due to staffing it would not be possible to get further orientation. She states she attempted to continue to work her shifts but still had difficulty keeping up with the workload and didn’t have the help or support of other staff.
However, the RN without the help of an experienced nurse attorney to help her defend her case, the Texas Board of Nursing suspended and disciplined the RN.
Do not fret if you find yourself in a similar situation same as that of the RN mentioned above. All you need to do is to find the right nurse attorney who can help you in the case. 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 Nurse Attorney Yong J. An and text or call attorney Yong 24/7 at (832) 428-4579