On This Page
Stephens, Kari-Lee JI728351
Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. In 2017, the Member was criminally charged with two offences related to purchasing a car using a forged certified cheque. She was later found guilty of forgery in 2018. The Member did not report the criminal charges or finding of guilt to CNO.
In 2020, the Member applied for a position as a Registered Nurse (RN) even though she was not licensed to practice as an RN. She made misrepresentations on her application for employment in relation to her education, employment history and used another nurse’s CNO registration number, who had a similar name to the Member.
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:
- was found guilty of an offence relevant to the member’s suitability to practise;
- contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession;
- falsified a record relating to the member’s practice;
- signed or issued, in the member’s professional capacity, a document that the member knew or ought to have known contained a false or misleading statement;
- inappropriately used a term, title or designation in respect of the member’s practice;
- contravened a term, condition or limitation on the member’s certificate of registration;
- contravened the Nursing Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 32, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 or the regulations under either of those Acts; and
- 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 and 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 5-month suspension; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending at least 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 24 months.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed order 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 the proposed order.
