Sarah Louwagie

The College of Nurses of Ontario brought disciplinary proceedings against a Registered Practical Nurse who failed to administer medications to 26-29 patients, disposed of the medications, and falsified patient records to conceal his actions.

The Member was subsequently convicted of criminal mischief and failed to report the charges and convictions to the College.

Proceeding by way of an Agreed Statement of Facts and Joint Submission on Order, the Discipline Committee found the Member committed professional misconduct.

The Committee accepted the joint submission, ordering an 8-month suspension, an oral reprimand, and various terms and conditions including employer notification and practice audits.

The College of Nurses of Ontario brought a motion requesting the Discipline Committee state a case for contempt to the Divisional Court against the self-represented Member.

The College alleged the Member breached multiple tribunal orders prohibiting contact with expected witnesses.

The Panel found a prima facie case of civil contempt, concluding the Member intentionally contacted witnesses via phone and email despite clear written orders not to do so.

The Panel exercised its discretion to state a case for contempt to the Divisional Court, emphasizing the need to protect witnesses from harassment and maintain the integrity of the regulatory proceedings.

The College of Nurses of Ontario brought allegations of professional misconduct against a registered practical nurse for sexually abusing a vulnerable psychiatric patient.

The member admitted to exchanging sexual messages, masturbating on videochat, touching the patient sexually, and accessing her personal health information without consent.

The Discipline Committee found the member committed professional misconduct.

Accepting a joint submission on penalty, the Committee ordered a reprimand, reimbursement for patient therapy, and the mandatory revocation of the member's certificate of registration.

The College of Nurses of Ontario brought professional misconduct allegations against a registered practical nurse for sexually abusing a 17-year-old patient.

The nurse provided the minor patient with marijuana and engaged in vaginal intercourse with him while he was under her care at a summer camp.

The nurse did not attend the hearing.

The Discipline Committee found the nurse committed professional misconduct by sexually abusing the patient, failing to maintain therapeutic boundaries, and engaging in disgraceful, dishonourable, and unprofessional conduct.

The Committee ordered the immediate revocation of the nurse's certificate of registration, an oral reprimand, and reimbursement of up to $5,000 for patient therapy.

The member, a Registered Practical Nurse, faced allegations of professional misconduct for verbally and physically abusing colleagues, threatening to withhold medication from a patient with dementia, and refusing to wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The member admitted to the allegations through an Agreed Statement of Facts.

The Discipline Committee found the member committed professional misconduct and accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a 10-month suspension, an oral reprimand, and various remedial conditions.

The Member, a Registered Practical Nurse, faced allegations of professional misconduct for failing to report criminal charges and a finding of guilt for forgery to the College.

Additionally, the Member submitted an employment application for a Registered Nurse position containing false information about her credentials, holding herself out as another member, and using the restricted title 'Registered Nurse'.

The Discipline Committee accepted an Agreed Statement of Facts and found the Member committed professional misconduct.

Accepting a Joint Submission on Order, the Committee ordered a reprimand, a 5-month suspension, and terms, conditions, and limitations on her certificate of registration.