Facts
The Member admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct. The Member failed to report his nursing registration with the Minnesota Board to the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “CNO”), including information about his disciplinary proceedings before the Minnesota Board and suspension in Minnesota on October 5, 2017.
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 governing body of a health profession in a jurisdiction other than Ontario, found that the Member committed an act of professional misconduct, that would be an act of professional misconduct as defined in the regulations;
- the Member signed or issued, in his professional capacity, a document that the Member knew or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement;
- the Member contravened a term, condition or limitation on his certificate of registration;
- the Member contravened a provision of the Nursing Act, 1991, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, or regulations under either of those Acts;
- the Member failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that the requested information was provided in a complete and accurate manner where the Member was required to provide information to the College pursuant to the regulations under the Nursing Act, 1991; and
- the Member engaged in conduct or performed an act, 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 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; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 18 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, by agreeing to the facts and a proposed penalty, has accepted responsibility.