On January 18, 2018, Christa Simms No. 19165 met the terms and conditions of the Order of an Adjudication Tribunal dated May 4, 2017, such that she is eligible to apply for a practicing license.
In a Decision dated May 4, 2017 Christa Simms, Registration #19165, was found guilty of conduct deserving of sanction pursuant to the Registered Nurses Act, 2008, sections 18(c)(i) professional misconduct; 18(c)(ii) professional incompetence; and 18(c)(v) acting in breach of the Code of Ethics. The Adjudication Tribunal ordered that Ms. Simms’s license be suspended for a minimum of six months and reinstated following her successful completion of specified conditions.
Decision Summary
In the matter of a Complaint against Christa Simms, Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, Registrant #19165 (the “Respondent”), a registered nurse whose license to practice had been suspended by Council on February 6, 2017, pending a hearing of the Complaint by an Adjudication Tribunal.
The Adjudication Tribunal hearing the Complaint accepted an Agreed Statement of Facts in which the Respondent admitted she had engaged in conduct deserving of sanction under the Registered Nurses Act, 2008 (the “Act”) sections 18(c)(i) professional misconduct, 18(c)(ii) professional incompetence, and 18(c)(v) acting in breach of the Code of Ethics. The Adjudication Tribunal determined that the Respondent engaged in conduct deserving of sanction, which conduct included: failure to document numerous client visits and related nursing documentation in accordance with ARNNL Documentation Standards and employer policies; documented client visits and interactions with clients that did not occur; documented multiple client visits as occurring at the same time on the same day; documented client visits where there was overlap of time; falsified client records; and dishonesty with her employer related to client visits and completion of clinical hours for her nurse practitioner designation.
The Adjudication Tribunal accepted a Joint Submission on Penalty and pursuant to section 28(3) of the Act in a Decision dated May 4, 2017 (the “Decision”), ordered that the Registrant’s license be suspended for a minimum of six months and reinstated following her successful completion of specified conditions including: nursing education; clinical assessment of her nursing practice; reflective paper to include specified content; and meeting with a Nursing Consultant – Policy and Practice, ARNNL to reflect on her learnings. The Adjudication Tribunal further ordered that the Registrant provide a copy of the Decision following her return to nursing practice to any nursing employer for a period of two years and that she pay ARNNL 25% of costs incurred in the investigation and hearing of the Complaint.
The conduct deserving of sanction occurred during the period from on or about July 7, 2014 to on or about January 21, 2015 while the Respondent practiced as a registered nurse in community health, Port aux Basques. The Complainant was Western Health.
On February 6, 2017, the ARNNL Council suspended the license of Christa Simms, Registrant No. 19165 pending the decision of the Adjudication Tribunal of the Disciplinary Panel.