On Jan. 15, 2024, a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNM and Rhonda Schappert, LPN of Penticton, B.C., to address practice issues that occurred during a night shift on March 17, 2023. The Registrant was caring for a patient with dementia who was displaying challenging behaviours. In response to these challenging behaviours, the Registrant slapped them somewhere between the back of their head and their shoulder.
Punitive physical responses to any patient under any circumstance is unacceptable for any registrants.
The Registrant was deeply remorseful for her behaviour, and she has voluntarily agreed to terms equivalent to a limit and/or condition on their practice, including:
A public reprimand and a suspension of their nursing registration for three days;
Remedial education related to caring for dementia patients, conflict and aggression management, violence prevention, and ethics.
The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public.