The Member was not present or represented by legal counsel at the hearing. The hearing proceeded in her absence.
Facts
On May 17, 2023, the Member was ordered by a panel of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (“ICRC”) to complete a Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (“SCERP”) and to receive an oral caution. Despite receiving notice of the ICRC’s order, the Member failed to complete the SCERP and failed to appear before the ICRC to be cautioned.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
A panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “Panel”) found that the Member:
- engaged in conduct, relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as dishonourable and unprofessional.
Discipline Committee’s Order
The Panel made an order that included the following:
- an oral reprimand;
- a suspension of the Member’s certificate of registration for 4 months or until the Member completes the SCERP and attends before a panel of the ICRC to be cautioned, whichever is later;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- requiring the Member to complete the SCERP and appear before a panel of the ICRC to be cautioned; and
- attending a minimum of 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert.
The Panel noted that the Member willfully disregarded the professional obligations associated with self-regulation and was concerned by the disrespect the Member displayed for her regulating body.