If you’re a nurse and you’ve found yourself on the CNO’s radar, let’s be honest, it’s terrifying. A complaint lands in your inbox, or worse, your manager tells you they’ve reported you. Maybe you made a mistake. Maybe you didn’t. But now your career, your license, and your name are on the line.
At Tamir Litigation, we represent nurses , real people going through some of the most stressful moments of their professional lives. And no, we don’t sugarcoat the process. But we do help you get through it with clarity, strategy, and a plan.
Who’s In Charge of This?
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). They regulate all nurses in the province, RNs, RPNs, and NPs. They investigate complaints, enforce professional standards, and conduct discipline hearings.
A complaint to the CNO doesn’t mean you’re guilty. But it does mean you have to take it seriously. Once the complaint is filed, it’s reviewed by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC). They might ask for a written response. In serious cases, they’ll refer it to a formal discipline hearing.
Allegations We See All the Time
Most nurses facing discipline are not “bad nurses.” But mistakes, judgment calls, and workplace conflicts can lead to major consequences.
Here’s what we see again and again:
- Medication errors
- Accessing records for the wrong patient
- Not following a doctor’s order (yes, this can trigger a report)
- Charting something that wasn’t done
- Showing up late or leaving early — and getting accused of time theft
- Allegations of fraud (sometimes tied to documentation or billing)
- Practising while impaired
- Off-duty criminal charges
- A patient or family saying your tone or care was “inappropriate”
Any of these on their own or in combination can lead to a formal investigation. And once the wheels are in motion, it’s hard to stop them without help.
Let’s Talk About Employer Reporting
Here’s something nurses often don’t know: your employer is legally required to report you in some situations. That includes:
- If you’re fired, suspended, or put on leave for a professional issue
- If you resign during an internal investigation
- If they believe you committed sexual abuse of a patient
- If they find out you’ve been found liable for professional negligence or malpractice
This is called mandatory reporting, and it happens whether or not you agree with the employer’s version of events. The CNO takes these reports seriously and they can lead to a full discipline hearing.
And Yes, You Have to Report Yourself Sometimes
Self-reporting is another legal obligation. You’re expected to notify the CNO if you’re:
- Charged with a criminal offence
- Disciplined by another regulatory body
- Found liable in a malpractice lawsuit
And no, “waiting to see what happens” is not a great plan.
What Happens at a Discipline Hearing?
If your case goes all the way to a hearing, it’s a formal, public process. The CNO calls witnesses. They present evidence. You (and your lawyer, hopefully) get a chance to respond, challenge, and defend yourself.
If the panel finds against you, possible outcomes include:
- A reprimand (which becomes part of your public record)
- Restrictions on your license
- Suspension
- Permanent revocation
And yes, your name and the decision get published online. That’s why handling things early matters.
Why Having a Lawyer Isn’t Just “Helpful” — It’s Necessary
Let’s be blunt: you are a nurse, not a litigator. The College has lawyers. The process is legal. The standards are complex. And the consequences are massive.
Responding the wrong way too casually, too defensively, too emotionally can do real damage. You need someone who’s been through this before, who can separate legal risk from noise, and who isn’t afraid to fight when it matters.
That’s where we come in.
You’re Not Just a Name on a File
At Tamir Litigation, we take on select discipline matters for nurses across Ontario. We’ll tell you the truth about where you stand, what your options are, and how to respond. If the CNO is coming after your license, we’re ready to act.
Need to talk? Don’t wait.
📞 416-499-1676
📧 [email protected]
💬 Message us on WhatsApp
Comments are closed