Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. In September 2022, the Member was informed that she was randomly selected by the College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) to participate in a Quality Assurance assessment (“QA Assessment”). After receiving several extensions, the Member submitted her QA Assessment activities. The Member was advised by CNO staff that her QA Assessment activities were incomplete, and that more information was needed. The QA Committee subsequently assessed the Member as “Needs More Information” and provided a further deadline. The Member did not submit the additional information by the deadline and did not complete her outstanding QA Assessment activities as directed. The Member would have testified that she was experiencing challenging personal circumstances at the time, but acknowledges that she had a professional obligation to participate in the QA Program and to respond to CNO’s communications in a timely manner.
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:
- failed to cooperate with the Quality Assurance Committee or any assessor appointed by that committee; and
- engaged in conduct, relevant to the practice of nursing, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as 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 2-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- attending 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- successfully complete the Quality Assurance Program requirements by the dates and deadlines that will be communicated by the Quality Assurance Committee.
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.