BC nurse who swiped narcotics from work avoids suspension
A BC nurse who swiped narcotics from work for her own personal use has avoided a suspension, but will be monitored at work for the next three years.According to an Aug. 18 BC College of Nurses and Midwives decision, the unnamed registered nurse was diagnosed with and admitted to a "disability with a causal relationship" to narcotics and will undergo treatment.The nursing regulator didn't give any information on where the registered nurse worked or for how long they were pilfering drugs.The regulator didn't issue a suspension, which is common, but says the nurse will be monitored for three years and with limits on their ability to access and handle narcotics and associated drugs."The (College) recognizes that nurses and midwives, like any member of the public, may grapple with health issues that may impact their ability to practice safely, competently, and ethically," the decision read. "BC College of Nurses and Midwives expects that registrants will work only when they are fit to do so and will remove themselves from practice when they are unwell."In the last few years, numerous nurses have been caught swiping narcotics from work, and some take them while they're working.In May, a BC nurse was caught for the second time swiping narcotics at workhttps://infotel.ca/newsitem/bc-nurse-caught-taking-narcotics-from-work-caught-taking-narcotics-from-work-again/it109014 and will now be monitored for five years.Early this year, a nurse who was caught stealing drugs during their shift and working while high received a week's suspension followed by monitoring.Last fall, a BC nurse received a week's suspension after they swiped drugs and then falsified paperwork to cover it up.https://infotel.ca/newsitem/bc-nurse-swipes-narcotics-and-falsifies-records-again/it107117Another replaced the narcotics they'd taken with over-the-counter drugs and was suspended for a week.https://infotel.ca/newsitem/bc-nurse-swipes-drugs-at-work-and-puts-different-meds-back-in-the-box/it106537In 2023, a nurse was found to have been stealing narcotics from work for seven yearshttps://infotel.ca/newsitem/bc-nurse-who-stole-narcotics-for-seven-years-gets-suspended/it96484. They received a three-month suspension.In the current case, the registered nurse signed a consent agreement admitting to their behaviour.The College said it's satisfied the terms of the consent agreement will protect the public.To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmermailto:bbulmer@infonews.ca or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editormailto:news@infonews.ca. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroommailto:tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter herehttps://infotel.ca/newsletter.
While suspensions are a common consequence for such actions, the BCCNM opted for a monitoring period with limitations on the nurse's access to and handling of narcotics and related medications. The regulatory body stated that this course of action is in place to protect the public.
The BCCNM acknowledged the potential for health issues to impact a nurse's ability to practice safely. "The (College) recognizes that nurses and midwives, like any member of the public, may grapple with health issues that may impact their ability to practice safely, competently, and ethically," the decision reads. "BC College of Nurses and Midwives expects that registrants will work only when they are fit to do so and will remove themselves from practice when they are unwell."
This case is not isolated. Several recent incidents have highlighted the issue of nurses stealing narcotics in British Columbia. In May, a nurse was caught for the second time stealing narcotics at work and will now be monitored for five years. Earlier this year, another nurse received a one-week suspension followed by monitoring after being caught stealing drugs during their shift and working while impaired. Last fall, a nurse was suspended for a week after stealing drugs and falsifying paperwork. Another nurse who replaced stolen narcotics with over-the-counter medication also received a one-week suspension. In a more severe case from 2023, a nurse who had been stealing narcotics for seven years was suspended for three months.
In the current case, the registered nurse signed a consent agreement acknowledging their actions. The BCCNM has stated that it is satisfied that the terms of the consent agreement will adequately safeguard the public.