A B.C. nurse allegedly offered to have sex with a patient during an appointment that took place at her home, according to a summary protection order issued by the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives this week. The order against registered nurse Lori Chern is intended to be temporary, and to remain in place while the college investigates the allegations against her. Those allegations have not been proven, and the order indicates Chern denies any sexual misconduct. The alleged misconduct The order stems from a complaint the college received in August. The complainant alleged he was referred to Chern’s business—RN Collaborate in Kamloops—by a pharmacist. According to the order, RN Collaborate is “a health and wellness practice” with “a focus on men over 40.” The complainant told the college he contacted Chern about “an assessment,” with medical forms to be filled out and provided to the RCMP. The order does not elaborate on the reason for the assessment. According to the order, Chern directed the complainant to meet her at her home for the assessment. She allegedly sat “right next to him” on the couch while taking a blood pressure reading, and began “caressing” his arm. “After taking the reading, the respondent complimented the complainant on their physique as well as heart rate and blood pressure, saying they seemed to have the health of an 18-year-old and making other gestures and remarks that appeared flirty," the order reads. Chern then allegedly asked the complainant about his sex life and commented that “sex was very important for a man to regulate himself and be in good health,” according to the order. At this point, the order alleges, Chern offered to have sex with the complainant. “After the complainant declined, the respondent indicated the complainant was free to text or call them outside of work to meet up for sex,” the order reads. “The complainant provided screenshots of text messages they reported to be between them and the respondent. The respondent had not submitted the assessment forms that were the purpose of the visit, indicating it was because their MSP number was not working." The licence conditions The BCCNM’s inquiry committee considered the complaint and determined that it established a prima facie (on its face) case that Chern committed sexual misconduct as defined in the Health Professions and Occupations Act. While not proven, the complainant’s allegations are also not “manifestly unfounded or exaggerated,” the committee concluded, according to the order. The committee also concluded there would be a significant risk of harm to the public if the college did not impose temporary conditions on Chern’s practice. According to the order, the committee decided it could protect the public by prohibiting Chern from meeting with patients in her home through RN Collaborate. “The respondent also holds positions with Interior Health at the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital and Princeton General Hospital, and the investigation committee saw no reason to place restrictions on that employment or go so far as a suspension,” the order reads. The order limits Chern to practising only at those two facilities. It will remain in place until the investigation results in dismissal of the complaint or a discipline order against Chern, unless varied or terminated sooner by the committee.
