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Amy Lou Cepe, 0202010
Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct in 2012 and 2014 when she submitted false claims under her employer’s group benefit plan and received $2,387.50 in relation to the false claims. The Member did not make restitution.
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:
- contravened a standard of practice of the profession or failed to meet the standards of practice of the profession;
- misappropriated property from a client or workplace;
- 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; 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 dishonourable and unprofessional.
Discipline Committee’s Order
The College of Nurses of Ontario (“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 4-month suspension; and
- terms, conditions and limitations including:
- attending 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert; and
- employer notification for 12 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.
The Panel further stated that the order sends a strong message to the nursing profession and the public that benefit fraud amounts to professional misconduct and it is taken seriously and will not be tolerated. Nurses are held to a high standard and deceitful, dishonest behaviour reflects negatively on the profession. Nurses are required to act with integrity and honesty to facilitate trust in the profession.
