A Chilliwack psychiatric nurse who engaged in a romantic and physical relationship with a patient has agreed to cancel her registration with the B.C. College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM) after a panel of inquiry hearing.
Shannon Van Tongeren was accused of engaging in “egregious breaches” of professional standards.
The breaches occurred between August and September 2021 “while Ms. Van Tongeren was in a professional and therapeutic nurse-client relationship” with a vulnerable adult, according to a panel of inquiry committee.
“Ms. Van Tongeren engaged in a romantic and physical relationship with the vulnerable client; breached privacy standards by accessing the client’s medical health records; and acted in an unethical manner by continuing to contact the client after being directed to have no further contact with them,” the panel stated in a notice.
The cancelled registration was part of a “consent agreement” signed between the BCCNM and Van Tongeren, and approved by the panel inquiry on July 11, according to the notice posted on the BCCNM website.
”The registrant has voluntarily agreed to a cancellation of her registration and a prohibition on reapplying for registration with BCCNM for a minimum of 10 years,” it said. “The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public.”
The work of BCCNM is guided by the Health Professions Act, and a formal investigation into a nurse’s or midwife’s conduct, can be requested by written complaint.
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