The Member was not present or represented by legal counsel at the hearing. The hearing proceeded in her absence.
Facts
While practicing as a Registered Practical Nurse, the Member was scheduled to make in-home visits to clients. In September 2020, the Member submitted information to her employer verifying that she had provided in-home care to a patient on five occasions, for which she was paid but did not attend.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
A panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “Panel”) found that the Member:
- contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession;
- misappropriated property from a client or workplace;
- failed to keep records as required;
- falsified a record relating to her practice;
- signed or issued, in her professional capacity, a document that she knew or ought to know contained a false or misleading statement; and
- engaged in conduct, relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional.
Discipline Committee’s Order
The Panel made an order that included the following:
- an oral reprimand;
- a 5-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending a minimum of 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 18 months; and
- no independent practice for 18 months.
The Panel noted that the order demonstrates to that this type of misconduct will not be tolerated in the profession.