Tarleton to host nursing malpractice mock trial

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 28, 2009

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS—Nursing students will receive valuable “real life” training during Tarleton State University’s 11th Annual Nursing Malpractice Mock Trial on Nov. 6.

The event is designed to assist nurses in identifying standards of care that regulate nursing practice, basic legal terminology relevant to nursing negligence cases and criteria for establishing negligence in the practice of nursing. Legal implications of professional nursing practice and documentation issues also will be addressed.

Local attorneys Martha Cashon and Alan Nash, as well as Judge Bart McDougal of the Erath County Court at Law, will assist in the mock trial. Nursing faculty, graduates and students also will serve as players.

“The mock trial gives students and nurses exposure to the legal process for those involved in nursing negligence,” said Dok Woods, assistant professor of nursing at Tarleton. “It emphasizes the importance of meeting the standard of nursing care and of documenting carefully and completely the care provided to their patients. Hopefully, none of them will ever be sued, but this gives them a taste of what it would be like and how to prevent it.”

The workshop will be held in Tarleton’s Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center. For more information, contact Tarleton’s nursing department at (254) 968-9139.

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