Provincial posted Mar 12, 2024 @ 06:10am by Iain Burns

BC Interior nurse suspended for knocking patient's cell phone out of his hand

A British Columbia nurse has been suspended for reacting aggressively after a patient recorded her with his cell phone.

Sharon McGowan, a licensed practical nurse from Kamloops, engaged in a “verbal confrontation” with the patient, according to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

In a consent agreement released this week, the College said the patient was “recording [McGowan] with his cell phone.”

“The registrant used her notebook to knock the cell phone out of the client's hand,” the agreement adds.

<who> Photo credit: 123RF

The incident occurred in August 2022, but was only dealt with by the BCCNM on March 8.

McGowan has agreed to a three-week suspension of her nursing registration and remedial education in ethics, boundaries, conflict resolution and communication.

She has also agreed to undertake a regulatory practice consulting program.

The College said it believes the agreement will protect the public.

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