Every person who wants to become a professional LVN or RN 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 nurses in Texas. All these only show that the process is not really easy. Hence, every nurse must take care of her license. One wrong move can result to the suspension or revocation of their license if not properly defended by a Texas BON attorney. The administrative body or agency that has the authority to hear cases regarding the nursing profession is the Texas Board of Nursing.
Two of the recent cases filed before the Texas Board of Nursing involved LVN nurses.
The first case happened during the time period of December 27, 2018, through August 2, 2019. While employed as a Family Nurse Practitioner, LVN’s practice fell below the minimum standards of nursing practice in that she engaged in non-therapeutic prescribing practices.
During this time period, the LVN issued prescriptions for controlled substances to more than 30 patients, and without conducting appropriate assessments to justify LVN’s prescribing practices and/or exploring/ordering other treatment options in lieu of prescribing dangerous controlled substances to the patients.
Additionally, the LVN failed to collaborate with a collaborating physician. She also failed to appropriately monitor the patients for abusive and drug seeking behavior; and failed to accurately document in the patients ‘ medical files.
In response to the complaint against her, the LVN states she worked intermittently as a per diem mid-level practitioner, to cover the office when the other Nurse Practitioner was out. The LVN also states she followed the established guidelines for patient care and did not intend to jeopardize or harm patients.
The Texas Board of Nursing found the LVN’s conduct violates a section of Texas Occupations Code. Thus, her LVN license was suspended and placed on probation.
The second case happened on or about November 6-7, 2019. While employed as a LVN, she failed to notify the charge physician that the patient had a change in condition, including elevated temperature, elevated heart rate, and no urine output. Subsequently, the patient was transported to the hospital where the patient expired six days later.
The LVN’s conduct deprived the patient’s physician of information needed to institute appropriate medical interventions and may have contributed to the patient’s subsequent demise.
In response to the case filed against her, the LVN states on November 6th she arrived at work and received report from the patient’s mom informing her that the patient had been given Tylenol for fever last night. The LVN further states that as the day went on, the patient didn’t have any urine output and she reported this to the patient’s mom.
The LVN also states that the patient’s abdomen was not distended, and she repositioned the patient to try and stimulate her to urinate. The LVN states she reported to the patient’s mom frequently that the patient had no urine output each time she checked her diaper and that she (mom) needed to call the doctor.
She also states the next morning she received report from the patient’s mom and was told that the patient’s dad changed a wet diaper last night; however, the diaper was dry at the beginning of her shift and had not been changed since last night. She further states that the patient’s mom said she would talk with the patient’s dad and take the patient to an Emergency Room when he got home.
The LVN further states the patient slept most of the day, her lungs were clear, and she medicated the patient once for temperature elevation. She states she tried numerous times to get the patient’s mom to contact one of the patient’s doctors.
The Texas Board of Nursing gave the LVN sufficient time to defend the complaints filed against her. However, there was failure on the LVN nurse’s part to find the right Texas BON attorney to handle his case. The negligence of led to the suspension of the defendant’s LVN license.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas BON attorney. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An and text or call attorney Yong 24/7 at (832) 428-4579.