Oz nurse fired for having sex with patient

MELBOURNE - An Australian nurse has been sacked after having sexual relationship with a patient, while another got reinstated unconditionally after testing positive to marijuana use.

The alleged drug user, however, successfully appealed a decision to limit his duties as an endorsed enrolled nurse by the Queensland Nursing Council board, according to a ruling by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, reports the Courier Mail.

“The board made its decision on a positive result for cannabis in a urine test offered voluntarily. He expressed concern that his urine might show the effect of passive absorption, as an acquaintance had, he said, blown smoke from a marijuana joint in his face a couple of days before,” tribunal documents said.

The board argued there were reasonable grounds to impose limits and conditions on the nurse’s enrolment because of the positive test result. He has also refused to give undertakings to abstain from using illicit substances or submit himself for urine testing.

Meanwhile, a mental health nurse who got sexually involved with his patient cannot apply for registration or enrolment for 21/2 years, according to another case before QCAT.

“This patient was particularly vulnerable - (his) conduct was a gross violation of the trust.

“(He) pursued an inappropriate counselling relationship, which became a sexual relationship, whilst she was in his care.

“He knew what he was doing was improper - he actively sought to conceal it,” tribunal documents said.

The nurse, who had been registered for 16 years, said in the QCAT documents that he had an unblemished nursing career and “his future in the profession was now “seriously jeopardised”.

“I do, however, accept the consequences of my actions which have been considerably less than professional,” he said. (ANI)