The Member was not present or represented by legal counsel at the hearing. The hearing proceeded in her absence.
Facts
On July 22, 2020, the College’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (“ICRC”) required the Member to complete a Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (“SCERP”) and to appear before the ICRC to be cautioned. The Member’s caution was scheduled for May 14, 2021. The Panel found that the Member did not attend before the ICRC to be cautioned nor did she attempt to reschedule it. The Panel also found that the Member failed to complete the SCERP as directed.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
A panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “Panel”) found that the Member:
- failed to appear before a panel of the ICRC to be orally cautioned pursuant to a decision of the ICRC dated July 22, 2020; and
- 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 4-month suspension or a suspension until such a time as the Member completes the SCERP and appears before a panel of the ICRC to be cautioned with respect to the July 22, 2020 order, whichever is later;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- the Member shall complete the SCERP and appear before a panel of the ICRC to be cautioned in accordance with the July 22, 2020 order; and
- attending a minimum of 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert.
The Panel included a provision to extend the suspension of the Member’s certificate of registration beyond the 4-month period should the Member continue to fail to comply with the ICRC’s order.