The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has disciplined an unnamed B.C. nurse for taking narcotics for her own use — both at work and off-duty.
A Jan. 9 decision from the college’s inquiry committee said the nurse disclosed the situation.
It said the woman was diagnosed and admitted to a disability related to the situation and has agreed to treatment recommendations.
The public notice also states the nurse has voluntarily agreed to restrictions on her practice, including compliance with treatment, disclosure of treatment conditions to her employer, limited access to and handling of narcotics and medical monitoring to facilitate a return to practice.
She will also be subject to limits on working overtime, night shifts and working in high acuity or critical care areas.
The conditions will remain in place for four years.
The nurse’s name was withheld so as not to release personal health information. The notice did not identify where she works.
The college is one of 18 regulatory bodies empowered under the Health Professions Act to regulate health professions in B.C. It regulates the practice of four distinct professions: nursing, practical nursing, psychiatric nursing and midwifery.
Similar legislation in other self-regulated areas such as the legal and notary public professions also allows citizens to know about discipline issues in the public interest.
“The inquiry committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public,” both decisions said.
