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Kaitlin O’Kell-Ayers, JG693249
Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. At two separate facilities, the Member misappropriated Percocet and/or Oxycodone tablets intended for patients for her own use and falsified health records. The Member failed to attend scheduled shifts at one facility and did not notify the facility that she could not attend the scheduled shifts. The Member also failed to attend scheduled orientation shifts at a third facility and failed to return the facility’s property (including a cell phone) when her employment was terminated.
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;
- · discontinued professional services that were needed;
- misappropriated property from a workplace;
- failed to keep records as required;
- falsified a record relating to the member’s practice; and
- engaged in conduct, 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 Member signed an undertaking to permanently resign as a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario (“CNO”) and agreed not to apply for membership with CNO at any time in the future.
In light of the Member’s undertaking, the CNO and the Member jointly sought an order requiring the Member to appear before the Panel for an oral reprimand.
The Panel accepted the Joint Submission on Order, concluding that the proposed penalty was reasonable and in the public interest.
The Panel noted that the Member’s conduct demonstrated a serious and persistent disregard for her professional obligations and contained elements of dishonesty and deceit. The panel stated that in light of the Member’s resignation, the goals of remediation and rehabilitation were not necessary. The public is protected through the Member’s undertaking to permanently resign.
