Willful Violation of Health Laws Costs Nurse His License

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) was sentenced to 100 hours of community service, a $1,000 fine, and agreed to surrender his nursing license after pleading guilty to one count of Willful Violation of the Health Laws in violation of New York Public Health Law section 12-b.

The LPN was accused of neglecting a blind, 73-year-old nursing home resident who had a gastronomy tube.  The patient was supposed to receive medication directly through the tube.  The LPN was accused of failing to administer a hypertension medication, a protein supplement, and a multivitamin to the patient, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

The New York State Attorney General originally charged the LPN with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Incapable Person (a class E felony), Falsifying Business Records (a class E felony), and Willful Violation of the Health Laws (a misdemeanor).  If convicted on the most serious charge, the LPN would have faced up to four years in prison.

As part of a plea agreement, the LPN agreed to surrender his license and plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge of Willful Violation of the Health Laws.  The court sentenced him to 100 of community service and a $1,000 fine.