Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct. Between December 2018 and March 2021, the Member was charged with nine criminal offences, including operating a vehicle while impaired, assault and threatening, and failing to comply with bail conditions. The Member pleaded guilty to four of the charges, while the remainder of the charges were withdrawn. The Member failed to report the charges to the Executive Director of the College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) and failed to report the findings of guilt. If the Member had testified, he would have explained that he was suffering from a health condition at the relevant time, which affected his behaviour and judgment.
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 term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration by failing to report findings of guilt relating to criminal offences;
- Contravened a term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration by failing to report charges relating to criminal offences; 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 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 4-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending a minimum of 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 12 months.
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.