Sask. nurse slapped with $26K fine after complaining about grandfather’s care
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sask-nurse-fined-facebook-1.4060813
A Prince Albert, Sask., nurse is facing a hefty fine after complaining about her grandfather’s care on social media.
In October, the discipline committee of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association found Carolyn Strom guilty of professional misconduct. Strom posted that staff caring for her grandfather weren’t “up to speed” on palliative care or how to “help maintain an aging senior’s dignity.”
- Nurse who ‘vented’ online found guilty of professional misconduct
- $30K fine proposed for nurse who vented online about grandfather’s care
Some of the staff at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Macklin, Sask., complained that Strom’s comments violated her professional obligations as a nurse. According to testimony at the discipline committee, staff felt the comments were humiliating and embarrassing.
$26,000 fine imposed
Now, the association has fined the nurse $26,000. Most of the money will go towards refunding the association for the cost of holding the hearing.
Strom will also have to write a self-reflective essay on what she did wrong, and how she will change her behaviour in the future.
She will also need to complete an online course on the Canadian Nurses Association’s code of ethics.
The written decision noted the actual costs of the hearing were almost six times higher than the amount of money to be paid by Strom. The decision also said that the hearing could have been avoided through mediation, which did not happen.
Originally, the nurses’ association investigation committee had asked that Strom be fined $30,000 and that her lack of remorse should be seen as an aggravating circumstance. However, the discipline committee disagreed, writing that Strom showed accountability for her actions at the hearing.
Strom will need to pay the fine by 2020.
Filed under: General Problems
FINED-FOR “FREE-SPEACH” ? Censored and punished on SOCIAL MEDIA telling a story ?
The secretive-oppressive forces at work are sickening and dangerous.
Insult to injury in being “forced” to write an essay-apologizing ?
This is repulsive authoritarian behavior. That poor woman must want to scream…..leave the country.
I don’t know about the laws in Canada but to me someone who cares about the poor care their grandfather get’s (nurse or not) should not be reported and fined. Instead maybe the nurses association should be asking for a investigation about the issues this women bought up. You do not get better unless you hear what the problem is first.
What’s happened to “FREE SPEECH…?!”
Ahhh…I understand…in Canada, if one acquires a state-issued permission slip to practice ones chosen profession, one must also realize that their right to Freedom of Expression is part of the price one pays. One surrenders a Natural Right in “trade” for a state sponsored privilege it appears. Remind me to cross Canada off of my list of potential places to live and practice my profession.
Well it is against the law to tell the truth they will fine you. We need to all stand up and tell the truth it’s a good thing to do.
Strom should sue the Nursing Association for fraud and malpractice.