BC nurse who swiped narcotics from patients avoids suspension

A BC nurse has managed to avoid a suspension after he swiped narcotics prescribed to patients.

The BC College of Nurses and Midwives issued licensed practical nurse Ian Couper a public reprimand in relation to the “removal of narcotics and controlled substances prescribed to patients.”

The nursing regulator says Couper, who goes by the name Scott, removed the medication against client-specific orders and without appropriate or complete documentation.

The College also says Couper administered medication without appropriate or complete patient assessments.

“The conduct was unsatisfactory, with respect to the professional and practice standards that BC College of Nurses and Midwives set,” the decision reads. “BC College Nurses and Midwives standards set expectations to ensure nurses are practising competently, ethically, responsibly, and safely. Nurses are accountable for their nursing decisions, actions, and professional conduct. Nurses must meet these standards in providing care to patients.

The events happened between January and May 2025, when he was working at the Chilliwack General hospital.

The nursing regulator doesn’t give any precise details about what took place or why Couper swiped the narcotics instead of giving them to his patients.

Couper signed a consent agreement admitting to his behaviour.

The regulator gives no explanation for why Couper avoided a suspension and says Couper will now have remedial education in “targeted areas to address knowledge gaps.”

His punishment is comparable to that of other nurses who have diverted narcotics from work.

In January, a BC nurse avoided a suspension after stealing narcotics from work, and last fall a nurse who spent six months pilfering drugs also managed to avoid a suspension.

However, earlier this month, an Aldergrove-based nurse received a four-week suspension for pilfering narcotics and then doctoring the paperwork, and many others have received suspensions for swiping narcotics from work.

The regulator says it is satisfied the terms will address the concerns and protect the public.