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B.C. nurse suspended for ignoring patients, dishonesty

Harveer Rai sat alone in a resident's room for more than three hours, leaving all residents under her care unattended.
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Registered nurses in B.C. are regulated by the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives.

A Surrey, B.C. nurse has been suspended for five weeks for dishonesty and ignoring patients between November 2021 and July 2022.

A March 8 disciplinary decision from the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives said Harveer Rai made misrepresentations in her documentation and wasn’t honest with the employer.

In one case, Rai sat alone in a resident's room for more than three hours, leaving all residents under her care unattended, stated the public notice.

In order to address the practice issues, the college said Rai has voluntarily agreed to:

• a five-week suspension of their nursing registration;

• a limit prohibiting them from working nightshift, orienting new staff, supervising staff, or working with students in a mentoring role for a period of six months;

• remedial education in documentation, ethics, and responsibility and accountability;

• developing a learning plan, which will be shared with their employer and the college; and;

• meeting with a regulatory practice consultant.

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,” the college said.