Spontaneous eye looking sideways. What happened and what can be done?

Mom has been in and out of the hospital 17 times in the last 28 months for COPD and CHF. She was due to be released last Friday after her pulmonologist had gotten as much fluid off of her as he safely could. She woke up Friday morning with her left eye looking sideways and therefore had double vision. The nurse didn't even notice it. My sister and I walked into the room that morning to start getting her ready for discharge and immediately said "what happened to her!" It was very obvious and completely spontaneous. The nursing staff didn't seem to take it too seriously. The charge nurse looked into her eyes with a little light and said it was responding normally to the light and she could see the finger being held up in front of her. Their only advice was to take her to the eye dr. after getting home. We were afraid this is much more serious like a stroke or something but they were intent on getting her out of that room to make room for the next patient!
She has dbl. vision and can't really watch tv or read which are her only pleasures. It's heartbreaking to see her suffer with yet another health problem. We are taking her to the eye Dr. Today but I have a hunch it's nerological. We will see, (pardon the pun). Have any of you or your loved ones ever experienced something like this? Please tell me and also tell me what if anything made it better. She already has so many health problems. It's just not fair to take away he sight. Thanks everyone. I look forward to your posts.