Facts
The Member admitted that she engaged in professional misconduct. Between April 2020 and November 2021, while working as a Registered Practical Nurse on an inpatient mental health unit, the Member failed to maintain the boundaries of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship by engaging in a personal and romantic relationship with one patient which caused harm to the patient.
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;
- abused a patient emotionally; and
- engaged in conduct, 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 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 10-month suspension;
- terms, conditions and limitations, including:
- successful completion of the CPEP PROBE: Ethics and Boundaries Program at the Member’s own expense;
- attending a minimum of 2 meetings with a Regulatory Expert;
- employer notification for 18 months; and
- no independent practice for 18 months.
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 cooperated with the CNO and accepted responsibility by agreeing to the facts and a proposed order.