DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE OF THE COLLEGE OF NURSES OF ONTARIO
PANEL: Susan Roger, RN Chairperson Sandra Larmour Public Member Donna May, RPN Member Ian McKinnon Public Member Ingrid Wiltshire-Stoby, NP Member
BETWEEN:
COLLEGE OF NURSES OF ONTARIO ) JOSEPH BERGER for ) College of Nurses of Ontario
- and - ) RUTH LYKA TUBIGAN ) NO REPRESENTATION for Registration No. AA795284 ) Ruth Lyka Tubigan ) CHRISTOPHER WIRTH ) Independent Legal Counsel ) Heard: January 6, 2023
DECISION AND REASONS
This matter came on for hearing before a panel of the Discipline Committee (the “Panel”) of the College of Nurses of Ontario (the “College”) on January 6, 2023, via videoconference.
The Allegations
The allegations against Ruth Lyka Tubigan (the “Member”) as stated in the Notice of Hearing dated November 16, 2022 are as follows:
IT IS ALLEGED THAT:
You have committed an act of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code of the Nursing Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 32, as amended, and defined in subsection 1(1) of Ontario Regulation 799/93, in that while working as a Registered Practical Nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario (the “Facility”), you contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession, and in particular, in or around 2016, you submitted and/or accepted payment for false claims under the Facility’s employee group benefit plan.
You have committed an act of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code of the Nursing Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 32, as amended, and defined in subsection 1(8) of Ontario Regulation 799/93, in that while working as a Registered Practical Nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario (the “Facility”), you misappropriated property from a client or workplace, and in particular, in or around 2016, you submitted and/or accepted payment for false claims under the Facility’s employee group benefit plan.
You committed an act of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code of the Nursing Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 32, as amended, and defined in subsection 1(14) of Ontario Regulation 799/93, in that while working as a Registered Practical Nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario (the “Facility”), you falsified a record relating to your practice, and in particular, in or around 2016, you submitted and/or accepted payment for false claims under the Facility’s employee group benefit plan.
You committed an act of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code of the Nursing Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 32, as amended, and defined in subsection 1(15) of Ontario Regulation 799/93, in that while working as a Registered Practical Nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario (the “Facility”) you signed or issued, in your professional capacity, a document that you knew or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement, and in particular, in or around 2016, you submitted and/or accepted payment for false claims under the Facility’s employee group benefit plan.
You have committed an act of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code of the Nursing Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 32, as amended, and defined in subsection 1(37) of Ontario Regulation 799/93, in that while working as a while working as a Registered Practical Nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario (the “Facility”) you 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 disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional, and in particular, in or around 2016, you submitted and/or accepted payment for false claims under the Facility’s employee group benefit plan.
Member’s Plea
The Member admitted the allegations set out in paragraphs #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 in the Notice of Hearing. The Panel received a written plea inquiry which was signed by the Member. The Panel also conducted an oral plea inquiry and was satisfied that the Member’s admission was voluntary, informed and unequivocal.
Agreed Statement of Facts
College Counsel and the Member advised the Panel that agreement had been reached on the facts and introduced an Agreed Statement of Facts, which reads, unedited, as follows:
MEMBER
Ruth Lyka Tubigan (the “Member”) registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) as a Registered Practical Nurse (“RPN”) on June 29, 2011.
At the time of the incidents described below, the Member was employed as an RPN at Mount Sinai Hospital, located in Toronto, Ontario (the “Facility”). The Member resigned her employment at the Facility in relation to the incidents described below.
BENEFIT PLAN
The Facility offers its employees a self-insured group insurance policy by which the Facility provides coverage to employees for extended health care, dental, and other insurance benefits (the “Benefit Plan”). SunLife Insurance (“SunLife”) administers the Benefit Plan on behalf of the Facility. The Facility, however, is the plan sponsor for the Benefit Plan, and therefore funds the cost of claims paid out to employees under the plan. Employees contribute to the cost of the Benefit Plan as set out in their employment agreement and/or collective agreement, based on their election for individual or family coverage.
To submit a benefit claim online, members of the Benefit Plan must confirm that the information submitted is accurate and true, and agree, if requested, to provide original receipts and/or supporting documents.
INCIDENTS RELEVANT TO ALLEGATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT
On April 28, 2016, the Member submitted an online claim for $3,220 for custom-made orthotics, orthopedic shoes, and shoe modifications for herself and a dependent. The Member received $1,250 in reimbursement with respect to this claim.
On November 16 and 22, 2017, the Facility and Sun Life interviewed the Member. The Member admitted that the shoes she received were casual running shoes, and not orthopaedic shoes as she had claimed, that the shoes were not modified as claimed, and that she did not receive custom-made orthotics.
The Facility ultimately permitted the Member to resign her employment.
The Member did not make restitution.
If the Member were to testify, she would apologize and say she takes responsibility for her conduct. This was her first time with benefits coverage, and she would state that she made a mistake in how she used the Benefits Plan. However, she would also acknowledge that her benefits should not have been used in this manner and that, in doing so, she submitted claims that were false and/or improper.
BENEFIT FRAUD CASES
- To date, at least 80 benefit fraud cases involving substantially similar schemes as the one identified in this case, involving either cash or products not covered by the benefit plan, have been referred to the Discipline Committee. The dollar amounts of the false claims involved range from under $500 to over $45,000.
CNO STANDARDS
Professional Standards
CNO’s Professional Standards provides an overall framework for the practice of nursing and a link with other standards, guidelines and competencies developed by CNO. It includes seven broad standard statements pertaining to accountability, continuing competence, ethics, knowledge, knowledge application, leadership and relationships.
CNO’s Professional Standards provides, in relation to the accountability standard, that nurses are accountable to the public and responsible for ensuring their practice and conduct meets the legislative requirements and the standards of the profession. Nurses are responsible for their actions and the consequences of those actions as well as for conducting themselves in ways that promote respect for the profession. Nurses demonstrate this standard by actions such as ensuring their practice is consistent with CNO’s standards of practice and guidelines as well as legislation.
CNO’s Professional Standards provides, in relation to the leadership standard, that leadership requires self-knowledge (understanding one’s beliefs and values and being aware of how one’s behaviour affects others), respect, trust, integrity, shared vision, learning, participation, good communication techniques and the ability to be a change facilitator. The leadership expectation is not limited to nurses in formal leadership positions and all nurses, regardless of their position, have opportunities for leadership. Nurses demonstrate this standard by actions such as role-modelling professional values, beliefs and attributes.
Ethics
CNO’s Ethics Standard describes ethical values that are important to the nursing profession in Ontario including patient well-being, patient choice, privacy and confidentiality, respect for life, maintaining commitments, truthfulness and fairness.
CNO’s Ethics Standard provides, in relation to maintaining commitments, that nurses have a commitment to the nursing profession and being a member of the profession brings with it the respect and trust of the public. To continue to deserve this respect, nurses have a duty to uphold the standards of the profession, conduct themselves in a manner that reflects well on the profession, and to participate in and promote the growth of the profession.
CNO’s Ethics Standard also provides, in relation to truthfulness, that truthfulness means speaking and acting without intending to deceive.
The Member admits and acknowledges that she contravened CNO’s Professional Standards and Ethics Standard.
ADMISSIONS OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT
The Member admits that she committed the acts of professional misconduct as alleged in paragraph 1 of the Notice of Hearing in that she contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession, as described in paragraphs 5 to 9 and 11 to 17 above.
The Member admits that she committed the acts of professional misconduct as alleged in paragraph 2 of the Notice of Hearing in that she misappropriated property from a workplace, as described in paragraphs 5 to 9 above.
The Member admits that she committed the acts of professional misconduct as alleged in paragraph 3 of the Notice of Hearing in that she falsified a record relating to her practice, as described in paragraphs 5 to 9 above.
The Member admits that she committed the acts of professional misconduct as alleged in paragraph 4 of the Notice of Hearing in that she signed or issued, in her professional capacity, a document that she knew or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement, as described in paragraphs 5 to 9 above.
The Member admits that she committed the acts of professional misconduct as alleged in paragraph 5 of the Notice of Hearing, and in particular her conduct was dishonourable and unprofessional, as described in paragraphs 5 to 9 and 11 to 17 above.
Submissions on liability were made by College Counsel.
College Counsel asked the Panel to accept the Agreed Statement of Facts, as well as the Member’s admissions to all of the allegations as set out at paragraphs 18 to 22 of the Agreed Statement of Facts and, on the basis of those facts and admissions, to make findings of professional misconduct with respect to the allegations in the Notice of Hearing.
With regard to allegation #1, College Counsel submitted that the Member failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession, by submitting and/or accepting payment for false claims under the Mount Sinai Hospital’s (the “Facility”) employee group benefit plan (the “Benefit Plan”). The Member admitted that this conduct was a breach of the Professional Standards.
In regard to allegation #5, College Counsel submitted that the Agreed Statement of Facts indicates that the Member agreed that her conduct of submitting false claims for herself and a dependent and receiving a portion in reimbursement was relevant to the practice of nursing and admitted her conduct would be considered both unprofessional and dishonourable. This was a part of the resolution made and considered appropriate by both parties.
The Member made no submissions on liability.
Decision
The College bears the onus of proving the allegations in accordance with the standard of proof, that being the balance of probabilities based upon clear, cogent and convincing evidence.
Having considered the evidence and the onus and standard of proof, the Panel finds that the Member committed acts of professional misconduct as alleged in paragraphs #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 of the Notice of Hearing. As to allegation #5, the Panel finds that the Member engaged in conduct that would reasonably be regarded by members of the profession to be unprofessional and dishonourable.
Reasons for Decision
The Panel considered the Agreed Statement of Facts and the Member’s plea and finds that this evidence supports findings of professional misconduct as alleged in the Notice of Hearing.
Allegation #1 in the Notice of Hearing is supported by paragraphs 5 to 9 and 11 to 18 in the Agreed Statement of Facts. The Member admitted to submitting and accepting payment for a false claim through the Facility’s Benefit Plan on April 28, 2016 for custom-made orthotics, orthopedic shoes and shoe modifications for herself and a dependent and to receiving $1,250.00 in relation to this false claim.
The Member breached the College’s Professional Standards and the Ethics Standard when she submitted this false claim. The College’s Professional Standards provides that nurses are responsible for ensuring that their practice and conduct meets legislative requirements and the standards of the profession. Nurses are responsible for their actions and the consequences of those actions. The Professional Standards further provides that a nurse must have self-knowledge, respect, trust and integrity. A nurse demonstrates these standards by actions such as role-modelling professional values, beliefs and attributes.
The Member also breached the College’s Ethics Standard which provides the ethical values that are important to the nursing profession. These include but are not limited to maintaining commitments, truthfulness and fairness and also provides that being a member of the profession brings with it the respect and trust of the public. Truthfulness means speaking or acting without intending to deceive.
Allegation #2 in the Notice of Hearing is supported by paragraphs 5 to 9 and 19 in the Agreed Statement of Facts. The Member admitted to misappropriating property from the Facility by submitting a false claim to the Facility’s Benefit Plan and to receiving money for this false claim. Receiving money with respect to a false benefit claim constitutes misappropriation of property.
Allegation #3 in the Notice of Hearing is supported by paragraphs 5 to 9 and 20 in the Agreed Statement of Facts. The Member admitted to falsifying a record relating to her practice when she submitted a false claim to the Facility’s Benefit Plan on April 28, 2016 and received $1,250.00 in relation to this false claim. The Member had access to the Benefit Plan by virtue of her employment as a nursing professional. Accordingly, the facts support the allegation that the Member falsified a record relating to her practice and did so in the context of her employment as a Registered Practical Nurse (“RPN”) at the Facility.
Allegation #4 in the Notice of Hearing is supported by paragraphs 5 to 9 and 21 in the Agreed Statement of Facts. The Member admitted to signing or issuing, in her professional capacity, a document that she knew or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement when she signed and submitted a claim form to the Facility’s Benefit Plan confirming that the information submitted was accurate and true. As noted above, the Member had access to the Benefit Plan by virtue of her employment as an RPN at the Facility. The Member contributed to the cost of the Benefit Plan as set out in her employment agreement and/or collective agreement, based on her election for individual or family coverage. Accordingly, the facts support the allegation that the Member signed or issued, in her professional capacity, a document that she knew contained a false or misleading statement.
Allegation #5 in the Notice of Hearing is supported by paragraphs 5 to 9, 11 to 17 and 22 in the Agreed Statement of Facts. The Panel finds that the Member’s conduct in submitting a false benefit claim was clearly relevant to the practice of nursing as she would not have had the opportunity to engage in such misconduct if not for her employment status as an RPN. The Member’s conduct was unprofessional as it demonstrated a serious and persistent disregard for her professional obligations as set out in the Professional Standards and the Ethics Standard. A nurse is expected to uphold respect, trust and integrity. The Member failed to meet these key attributes of the profession when she submitted and financially benefitted from the false benefit claim.
The Panel also finds that the Member’s conduct was dishonourable. It demonstrated an element of dishonesty and deceit by misappropriation from the Facility’s Benefit Plan. Her actions exhibited an element of moral failing. The Member knew or ought to have known that her conduct was unacceptable and fell below the standards of a professional and did not meet the professional standards the public and the College expects of nurses.
Penalty
College Counsel and the Member advised the Panel that a Joint Submission on Order had been agreed upon. The Joint Submission on Order requests that this Panel make an order as follows:
Requiring the Member to appear before the Panel to be reprimanded within 3 months of the date that this Order becomes final.
Directing the Executive Director to suspend the Member’s certificate of registration for 4 months. This suspension shall take effect from the date that this Order becomes final and shall continue to run without interruption as long as the Member remains in a practicing class.
Directing the Executive Director to impose the following terms, conditions and limitations on the Member’s certificate of registration:
a) The Member will attend 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert (the “Expert”), at the Member’s own expense and within 6 months from the date that this Order becomes final. To comply, the Member is required to ensure that:
i. The Expert has expertise in nursing regulation and has been approved by CNO in advance of the meetings;
ii. At least 5 days before the first meeting, or within another timeframe approved by the Expert, the Member provides the Expert with a copy of:
the Panel’s Order,
the Notice of Hearing,
the Agreed Statement of Facts,
this Joint Submission on Order, and
if available, a copy of the Panel’s Decision and Reasons;
iii. Before the first meeting, the Member reviews the following CNO publications and completes the associated Reflective Questionnaires, online learning modules and decision tools (where applicable):
Code of Conduct,
Professional Standards, and
Ethics;
iv. At least 5 days before the first meeting, or within another timeframe approved by the Expert, the Member provides the Expert with a copy of the completed Reflective Questionnaires;
v. The subject of the sessions with the Expert will include:
the acts or omissions for which the Member was found to have committed professional misconduct,
the potential consequences of the misconduct to the Member’s patients, colleagues, profession and self,
strategies for preventing the misconduct from recurring,
the publications, questionnaires and modules set out above, and
the development of a learning plan in collaboration with the Expert;
vi. Within 30 days after the Member has completed the last session, the Member will confirm that the Expert forwards their report to CNO, in which the Expert will confirm:
the dates the Member attended the sessions,
that the Expert received the required documents from the Member,
that the Expert reviewed the required documents and subjects with the Member, and
the Expert’s assessment of the Member’s insight into the Member’s behaviour;
vii. If the Member does not comply with any one or more of the requirements above, the Expert may cancel any session scheduled, even if that results in the Member breaching a term, condition or limitation on the Member’s certificate of registration;
b) For a period of 12 months from the date the Member returns to the practice of nursing, the Member will notify the Member’s employer(s) of the decision. To comply, the Member is required to:
i. Ensure that CNO is notified of the name, address, and telephone number of all employer(s) within 14 days of commencing or resuming employment in any nursing position;
ii. Provide the Member’s employer(s) with a copy of:
the Panel’s Order,
the Notice of Hearing,
the Agreed Statement of Facts,
this Joint Submission on Order, and
a copy of the Panel’s Decision and Reasons, once available;
iii. Ensure that within 14 days of the commencement or resumption of the Member’s employment in any nursing position, the employer(s) forward(s) a report to CNO, in which it will confirm:
that they received a copy of the required documents, and
that they agree to notify CNO immediately upon receipt of any information that the Member has breached the standards of practice of the profession.
All documents delivered by the Member to CNO, the Expert or the Member’s employer(s) will be delivered by verifiable method, the proof of which the Member will retain.
Penalty Submissions
Submissions were made by College Counsel.
College Counsel submitted that the Joint Submission on Order must be accepted unless the terms of the Joint Submission on Order would bring the administration of justice into disrepute or would not be in the public interest.
The aggravating factors in this case were:
The Member’s conduct was dishonest and made solely for the purpose of her own financial gain at the expense of the Facility’s Benefit Plan. The Member knew or ought to have known that her conduct was wrong; and
The Member took advantage of the trust and privilege that was given to her by her employer and the public and of the privilege of having a benefit plan.
The mitigating factors in this case were:
The Member took responsibility with the Facility and the College;
The Member admitted to the allegations and entered into an Agreed Statement of Facts and a Joint Submission on Order with the College. This is an indication of acceptance of misconduct and remorse.
The Member has no prior discipline history with the College.
College Counsel submitted that the goal of any penalty order is protection of the public, maintaining high professional standards and enhancing the public’s confidence in the College’s ability to regulate its members. These goals are achieved through a penalty that addresses specific and general deterrence, as well as rehabilitation and remediation. College Counsel submitted to the Panel that the penalty meets all the required goals of penalty.
The proposed penalty provides for specific deterrence through the oral reprimand and the 4-month suspension of the Member’s certificate of registration. The oral reprimand will assist the Member in understanding how her actions are perceived by the members of the profession and the public, thus deterring the Member from repeating the conduct, and thereby protecting the public. The suspension sends a strong signal to the Member that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and will ensure that the conduct will not be repeated.
College Counsel submitted that, as indicated in the Agreed Statement of Facts, there are over 80 similar cases that have been referred to the Discipline Committee and that the Member is not unique in her misconduct. The proposed penalty provides for general deterrence through the 4-month suspension of the Member’s certificate of registration, which will signal to other members of the profession that this kind of conduct is unacceptable.
The proposed penalty provides for rehabilitation and remediation through the 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert and the review of the College’s publications. College Counsel submitted that these steps will prepare the Member to return to ethical practice which meets the standards expected of nurses.
Overall, the public is protected through the 12 months of employer notification as there will be employer oversight on the Member’s return to practice.
College Counsel submitted the following cases to the Panel to demonstrate that the proposed penalty fell within the range of similar cases from this Discipline Committee:
CNO v. Verde-Balayo (Discipline Committee, 2021): In this case, the hearing proceeded by way of a partial Agreed Statement of Facts and a partial Joint Submission on Order. Similarities to the case before this Panel include the member making false claims through her employee group benefit plan, signing or issuing in her professional capacity documents which she knew or ought to have known contained false or misleading statements and misappropriation of property. The member received $7,982.50 in false claims. The member did not make restitution. The penalty included an oral reprimand, a 4-month suspension of the member’s certificate of registration, 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert and 12 months of employer notification, which is identical to the proposed penalty in the case before this Panel.
CNO v. Cumba (Discipline Committee, 2022): In this case, the hearing proceeded by way of an Agreed Statement of Facts and a Joint Submission on Order. Similarities to the case before this Panel include the member making false claims through her employee group benefit plan, signing or issuing in her professional capacity documents which she knew or ought to have known contained false or misleading statements and misappropriation of property. The member received $4,710.00 in false claims. The member did not make restitution. The penalty included an oral reprimand, a 4-month suspension of the member’s certificate of registration, 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert and 12 months of employer notification, which is identical to the proposed penalty in the case before this Panel.
CNO v. Gepilano (Discipline Committee, 2022): In this case, the hearing proceeded by way of an Agreed Statement of Facts and a Joint Submission on Order. The member committed acts of professional misconduct when she was involved in similar benefit fraud that took place over a number of years and allowed the member to receive $4,695.00 in false claims. The member did not make restitution. The penalty included an oral reprimand, a 4-month suspension of the member’s certificate of registration, 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert and 12 months of employer notification.
The Member made no submissions on penalty.
Penalty Decision
The Panel accepts the Joint Submission on Order and accordingly orders:
The Member is required to appear before the Panel to be reprimanded within 3 months of the date that this Order becomes final.
The Executive Director is directed to suspend the Member’s certificate of registration for 4 months. This suspension shall take effect from the date that this Order becomes final and shall continue to run without interruption as long as the Member remains in a practicing class.
The Executive Director is directed to impose the following terms, conditions and limitations on the Member’s certificate of registration:
a) The Member will attend 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert (the “Expert”), at the Member’s own expense and within 6 months from the date that this Order becomes final. To comply, the Member is required to ensure that:
i. The Expert has expertise in nursing regulation and has been approved by CNO in advance of the meetings;
ii. At least 5 days before the first meeting, or within another timeframe approved by the Expert, the Member provides the Expert with a copy of:
the Panel’s Order,
the Notice of Hearing,
the Agreed Statement of Facts,
this Joint Submission on Order, and
if available, a copy of the Panel’s Decision and Reasons;
iii. Before the first meeting, the Member reviews the following CNO publications and completes the associated Reflective Questionnaires, online learning modules and decision tools (where applicable):
Code of Conduct,
Professional Standards, and
Ethics;
iv. At least 5 days before the first meeting, or within another timeframe approved by the Expert, the Member provides the Expert with a copy of the completed Reflective Questionnaires;
v. The subject of the sessions with the Expert will include:
the acts or omissions for which the Member was found to have committed professional misconduct,
the potential consequences of the misconduct to the Member’s patients, colleagues, profession and self,
strategies for preventing the misconduct from recurring,
the publications, questionnaires and modules set out above, and
the development of a learning plan in collaboration with the Expert;
vi. Within 30 days after the Member has completed the last session, the Member will confirm that the Expert forwards their report to CNO, in which the Expert will confirm:
the dates the Member attended the sessions,
that the Expert received the required documents from the Member,
that the Expert reviewed the required documents and subjects with the Member, and
the Expert’s assessment of the Member’s insight into the Member’s behaviour;
vii. If the Member does not comply with any one or more of the requirements above, the Expert may cancel any session scheduled, even if that results in the Member breaching a term, condition or limitation on the Member’s certificate of registration;
b) For a period of 12 months from the date the Member returns to the practice of nursing, the Member will notify the Member’s employer(s) of the decision. To comply, the Member is required to:
i. Ensure that CNO is notified of the name, address, and telephone number of all employer(s) within 14 days of commencing or resuming employment in any nursing position;
ii. Provide the Member’s employer(s) with a copy of:
the Panel’s Order,
the Notice of Hearing,
the Agreed Statement of Facts,
this Joint Submission on Order, and
a copy of the Panel’s Decision and Reasons, once available;
iii. Ensure that within 14 days of the commencement or resumption of the Member’s employment in any nursing position, the employer(s) forward(s) a report to CNO, in which it will confirm:
that they received a copy of the required documents, and
that they agree to notify CNO immediately upon receipt of any information that the Member has breached the standards of practice of the profession.
All documents delivered by the Member to CNO, the Expert or the Member’s employer(s) will be delivered by verifiable method, the proof of which the Member will retain.
Reasons for Penalty Decision
The Panel understands that the penalty ordered should protect the public and enhance public confidence in the ability of the College to regulate nurses. This is achieved through a penalty that addresses specific deterrence, general deterrence and, where appropriate, rehabilitation and remediation. The Panel also considered the penalty in light of the principle that joint submissions should not be interfered with lightly.
The Panel concluded that the proposed penalty is reasonable and in the public interest. The Member has co-operated with the College and, by agreeing to the facts and a proposed penalty, has accepted responsibility.
The Panel finds that the penalty satisfies the principles of specific and general deterrence, rehabilitation and remediation, and public protection. The oral reprimand and the 4-month suspension of the Member’s certificate of registration will provide specific deterrence. The 4-month suspension of the Member’s certificate of registration will provide general deterrence. The 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert will provide for rehabilitation and remediation and the 12 months of employer notification will ensure the public is protected by ongoing monitoring of the Member’s practice.
The penalty is also in line with what has been ordered in previous cases in similar circumstances.
I, Susan Roger, RN, sign this decision and reasons for the decision as Chairperson of this Discipline panel and on behalf of the members of the Discipline panel.