Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. In March and April 2022, the Member was employed by a facility as one of multiple nurses providing home health care to a patient. After the Member’s care for the patient had concluded, the patient gifted the Member $17,000.00 in the form of a money order and a cheque. The patient’s daughter discovered the gift and demanded that it be returned, and the Member did so.
Discipline Committee’s Findings
Based on the Member’s admissions, 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; 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 College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) and the Member presented the Panel with a Joint Submission on Order requesting that the Panel make an order that included the following:
- an oral reprimand;
- a 5-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- successful completion of the PROBE: Ethics and Boundaries Program;
- employer notification for 18 months; and
- no independent practice for 18 months.
- revocation of the Member’s certificate of registration.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest. The Panel noted that the Member cooperated with the CNO and accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and a proposed order.