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.
On or about April 1, 2018 through April 17, 2018, while employed as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in a medical facility in Wichita Falls, the RN violated the professional boundaries of the nurse/patient relationship in that she communicated with former patient who at the time was a co-worker through text messages, email, and instant messages. Furthermore, the RN met with the patient off-site, kissed him on forehead, and was intimate with him while in her office. The RN’s conduct was likely to cause emotional, physical, and/or psychological harm to the patient and may have caused delayed distress for the patient, which may not be recognized or felt by the patient until harmful consequences occur.
In response to the incident, the RN states she had not treated the patient since February 2017. She states she left the clinic location to work elsewhere. She states when she returned, the patient was now working with her at the same location. She states all of their interactions were as co-workers. She states she thought the patient was strictly a co-worker and was unaware the patient was still being seen at a different location as a patient. The RN states patient approached her initially with friendly overtures and she thought their relationship was as work friends.
The RN admits to the inappropriate texting she had with the patient and she admits she thought a year was a significant time to wait to interact with a previous patient once the nurse-patient relationship had ended. The RN states she saw the patient as a co-worker and not as an ex-patient. She states if she knew she was still a patient, she would have never flirted with her. She states she is very sorry on many levels for the texts she engaged in with patient including any harm caused to the patient. The RN states there was no sexual relationship with the patient.
The following incident and defense against the case caused the Texas Board of Nursing to place the RN and her license into disciplinary proceedings. She would have sought assistance from a good nurse attorney to provide clarifications towards the case.
If you’ve ever done any errors during your shift as an RN or LVN, and you wish to preserve your career and your license, an experienced nurse attorney is what you need. Nurse Attorney Yong J. An, an experienced nurse lawyer for various licensing cases for 14 years, can assist you by contacting him at (832) 428-5679.
