Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. The Member operates a spa where she offers a variety of cosmetic nursing services, including the injection of dermal fillers and Botox, which are controlled acts requiring nurses to obtain authorization from a prescriber.
Between September 2018 and November 2020, the Member admitted that she failed to keep adequate records of treatments, performed controlled acts without authorization from a physician or qualified health professional, and failed to obtain informed consent from a patient prior to administering treatment. The Member further admitted that she engaged inappropriately with a patient on a social media platform.
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;
- failed to keep records as required;
- performed a controlled act without authorization; 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 at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 12 months, including documentation spot audits; and
- the requirement to post notice of the terms, conditions, and limitations on her certificate of registration should the Member be self-employed in an independent practice environment.
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.