Effective March 1, 2026, the CNO is retiring the "Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship" standard in favor of a stricter "Professional Boundaries" framework. This shift, alongside the new Documentation standard effective February 1, 2026, explicitly targets modern risks like Artificial Intelligence and social media. The new rules mandate that nurses remain accountable for AI-generated notes and strictly prohibit "connecting" with current or former patients on personal social media platforms. Platforms like TikTok are now fair game for scrutiny. Silence or "private" settings are not defenses. These changes turn grey areas into misconduct traps. Nurses facing complaints under these new 2026 standards need immediate regulatory defence.
CICC v Bayegan, 2025 CICC 26 confirms that good character in licensing turns on disclosure, not explanation. The Registrar refused an RCIC licence after finding it probable the applicant engaged in unauthorized practice and failed to disclose outstanding criminal charges in her statutory declaration. On appeal, the Registrar Appeal Committee upheld the refusal, stressing that licensing is a credibility assessment, not a trial on the merits of alleged misconduct or criminal charges. Non-disclosure itself justified refusal. Attempts to introduce new evidence and contextual explanations on appeal were rejected. The appeal was dismissed and $7,500 in costs ordered, reinforcing that statutory declarations are foundational.