It’s best to seek the help of a nurse attorney when facing different complaints and allegations. However, some nurses tend to face these results instead without thinking that nurse attorneys are always reliable for matters such as these.
At the time of the initial incident, an RN was employed as a Registered Nurse at a Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, and had been in that position for nine (9) months.
It was on or about December 17, 2016, and December 18, 2016, the RN falsely documented in the Medication Administration Record (MAR) of a patient that she administered a total of 20mg of Morphine to the patient in that the patient tested negative for Morphine on a urine drug screen. The RN’s conduct created an inaccurate medical record and failure to administer medication as ordered by the physician could have resulted in non-efficacious treatment.
And on or about December 17, 2016, and December 18, 2016, the RN misappropriated a total of 20mg of Morphine belonging to the facility and patients thereof or failed to take precautions to prevent such misappropriation, in that she documented administering a total of 20mg of Morphine to the patient but the patient tested negative for Morphine in a urine drug screen. The RN’s conduct was likely to defraud the facility and patients thereof of the cost of the medications.
Then on or about December 18, 2016, the RN engaged in the intemperate use of Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, and Morphine in that she produced a specimen for a reasonable suspicion drug screen that resulted positive for Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, and Morphine. Unlawful possession of Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, and Morphine is prohibited by Chapter 481 (Controlled Substances Act) of the Texas Health & Safety Code. The use of Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, and Morphine by a Nurse, while subject to call or duty, could impair the nurse’s ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms, or changes in a patient’s condition, and could impair the nurse’s ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgments, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing a patient in potential danger.
As a response to the incident above, the RN was investigated by the Texas Board of Nursing and was given the chance of legal counsel but failed to hire a nurse attorney to help her defend her side.
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 or misdemeanors 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 attorney for various licensing cases for 14 years, can assist you by contacting him at (832) 428-5679.