The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) regulates nursing in the province, and its discipline process addresses allegations of professional misconduct and incompetence against registered nurses, registered practical nurses, and nurse practitioners. Serious matters are referred by the College’s complaints committee to its Discipline Committee for a hearing, which can result in a reprimand, conditions on a certificate of registration, suspension, or revocation.
As with physician discipline, nursing discipline is regulatory rather than civil. Its purpose is to protect the public and maintain professional standards, and it does not provide compensation to an injured patient, who must bring a separate civil claim. Because hospitals can be vicariously liable for the nurses they employ, nursing conduct is often relevant to civil litigation as well, and a discipline decision can shed light on the clinical events and on the regulator’s view of the nursing standard of practice.
Posts tagged CNO Discipline analyze nursing discipline decisions in Ontario, including the clinical context and the penalty imposed, and their relationship to civil claims.
Discipline Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario imposes permanent undertaking on registered nurse who altered morphine records before patient’s death.
Free, confidential consultations. Paul reviews every potential case personally and tells you honestly whether it merits investigation.