Facts
While working as a Registered Nurse at a rehabilitation facility, the Member commenced a personal relationship with a patient. The relationship commenced while the Member was treating the patient, and continued for a year following the cessation of treatment. The Member accepted gifts, meals, alcohol and $63,964.50 from the patient. The Member failed to cooperate with the College’s investigation and attempted to influence the patient to give false evidence.
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;
- failed to cooperate with a College investigation; 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;
- revocation of the Member’s certificate of registration.
The Panel noted that the penalty was in the public interest, consistent with prior decisions of the Discipline Committee, and appropriate in the circumstances. The Member did not take accountability or show insight into her conduct, and displayed contempt for College proceedings and standards. The Panel found that the Member demonstrated through her words and actions that she was ungovernable.