Susannah McGeachy

The College of Nurses of Ontario alleged that the Member, a registered nurse, committed professional misconduct by slapping a psychiatric patient across the face twice.

The allegations relied primarily on the testimony of two other nurses and the patient.

The Discipline Committee assessed the credibility of the witnesses and found significant inconsistencies and implausibilities in the testimony of the College's witnesses, particularly regarding their failure to immediately report the alleged abuse.

The Committee found the Member's denial plausible and concluded that the College failed to prove the allegations on a balance of probabilities.

The allegations were dismissed.

The member, a registered nurse, pled guilty to criminal charges of possession of a weapon and assault following incidents of domestic violence against his common-law partner.

The Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario found that these criminal convictions constituted professional misconduct, as they were relevant to his suitability to practise nursing.

The Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, a two-month suspension of his certificate of registration, and the imposition of terms, conditions, and limitations, including meetings with a nursing expert and employer notification.

The applicant applied for reinstatement of her nursing certificate of registration, which was revoked in 2009 for professional misconduct involving a sexual relationship with a client.

The College of Nurses of Ontario did not oppose the application, and both parties presented a joint submission on order.

Relying on an independent psychiatric evaluation that deemed the applicant a low risk to re-offend, as well as her subsequent rehabilitation and retraining as a Pharmacy Technician, the Discipline Committee granted the reinstatement subject to strict terms, conditions, and limitations, including practice monitoring and restrictions on independent community nursing.

The former member applied for reinstatement of her certificate of registration, which was revoked in 2003 following criminal convictions for fraud.

The former member failed to attend the reinstatement hearing despite receiving adequate notice.

As the onus was on the former member to establish suitability for reinstatement and no evidence was led, the Discipline Committee dismissed the application.

The Member, a registered practical nurse, faced disciplinary proceedings for failing to provide appropriate care to a psychiatric client who suffered an anxiety attack and was later found vital signs absent.

The Member failed to follow a physician's order for constant observation, failed to document his checks, and delayed initiating a Code Blue and CPR when the client was found unresponsive.

The client subsequently died.

The Member admitted to the allegations of professional misconduct.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, a two-month suspension, and remedial terms including meetings with a nursing expert and employer notification.

The member was found to have committed professional misconduct relating to the emotional and physical abuse of a vulnerable client.

Following the findings, the College and the member presented a joint submission on penalty.

The Discipline Committee accepted the joint submission, ordering a three-month suspension of the member's certificate of registration, an oral reprimand, and terms including meetings with a nursing expert and employer notification.

The panel found the penalty addressed specific and general deterrence, remediation, and public protection, and fell within the range of reasonable outcomes for similar misconduct.