B.C. nurse who stole narcotics for seven years gets suspended

A B.C. nurse who stole narcotics from work over a seven-year period has been suspended for three months.

According to a Jan. 22 B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives decision, the unnamed licenced practical nurse stole the narcotics that were supposed to be given to patients so they could take them themselves. 

The nursing regulator said the nurse pilfered the drugs between 2015 and 2022.

Eventually, the nurse admitted to a doctor that they'd been stealing the drugs when they were told an investigation into medication tampering was going to take place.

The nurse was then diagnosed with a substance use disorder and admitted they had a "causal relationship" with taking narcotics.

READ MORE: B.C. psychiatric nurse suspended for having relationship with former patient

The nurse agreed to comply with the regulator's treatment recommendations.

The nurse signed a consent agreement accepting a three-month suspension and agreed to take whatever treatment is recommended.

When the nurse returns to work they will have limited access to narcotics and will be monitored.

They will also have limits on working overtime and night shifts, as well as practising in critical care areas and clients' homes.

The decision did not identify the nurse or say where in B.C. they worked and the regulator says this is so their personal health information is kept confidential.

The College said it's satisfied that the terms will protect the public.

READ MORE: B.C. nurse caught sleeping on the job gets suspended

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