An RN’s physical and mental health is very important for them to perform their daily tasks in an appropriate manner. Being physically and mentally healthy can greatly affect how they interact or take care of their patients. However, some RNs tend to neglect this fact and report to work in an unstable condition which jeopardizes their patients and profession. Never forget that RNs can always seek the help of a reliable nurse attorney whenever facing accusations such as lack of fitness to practice work properly.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a medical facility in San Angelo, Texas, and had been in that position for three (3) years and eight (8) months.
On or about February 20, 2020, while employed as an RN at a medical facility in San Angelo, Texas, RN lacked fitness to practice nursing in that she was observed slurring her speech, showing slow response to verbal stimuli, nodding off during conversations, falling asleep while at the nurse’s station desk, and falling asleep while placing an IV in a patient. RN’s condition could have affected her ability to recognize subtle signs, symptoms or changes in patients’ conditions, and could have affected her ability to make rational, accurate, and appropriate assessments, judgements, and decisions regarding patient care, thereby placing the patients in potential danger.
In response to the above incident, RN denies the finding. RN explains while at work she heard people talking about her and the incident on February 18th. Midday, RN states she started getting a headache while at the desk. RN explains that due to her health issues, her headaches can be intense at times. RN does state she did put her elbows on the desk then put her head on her hands and massaged her neck and head. Later that day RN states she was asked to start an IV. RN states she gathered supplies and began to start the IV and closed her eyes to feel the vein (she likes to feel it even though she can see it).
The above action constitutes grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10),(12)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A),(1)(B)&(1)(T) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12(1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(E),(4)&(5).
Unfortunately, the Texas Board of Nursing found her guilty of her deeds. Her RN license was subjected to disciplinary action. She did not hire a skilled Texas nurse attorney to fully defend her case which led to this decision by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Do you have questions about the Texas Board of Nursing disciplinary process? Contact The Law Office of Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney who represented more than 300 nurse cases for RNs and LVNs for the past 16 years.