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The B.C. nursing regulator has suspended one nurse and disciplined another for pilfering narcotics.

According to two separate B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives decisions, both nurses admitted to a "causal relationship" with narcotics.

The nursing regulator doesn't name the individuals or say where in B.C. they worked, but the separate cases involved a registered nurse and a licenced practical nurse.

For a period from January 2021 to April 2022, the registered nurse was found to have engaged in "unprofessional conduct, poor medication practices, and requests that coworkers supply them with hospital medications."

The registered nurse was diagnosed with and admitted to a disability with a "causal relationship" with "some practice issues." The nursing regulator keeps the public in the dark and doesn't explain what "some practice issues" refers to. It's assumed this means substance abuse.

Including these cases, six nurses have been disciplined so far this year for using narcotics. In one case a nurse stole narcotics from work over a seven-year period and got a three month suspension.

The registered nurse was suspended for two months and will be monitored for three years. They are also restricted from accessing narcotics and controlled drugs.

READ MORE: B.C. nurse caused accidental opioid overdose, then kept his mouth shut

In the case of the licenced practical nurse no suspension was issued, but the nurse will have to undergo treatment and ongoing monitoring.

The College says the licenced practical nurse was "diverting narcotics from wastage" for their own personal use on and off duty. This went on for a little over a year.

The nurse admitted they'd been taking narcotics from work when they sought treatment.

READ MORE: B.C. psych nurse suspended for contacting patient's parents

The nursing regulator gives no other details about what took place in either case but says it's satisfied that the terms will protect the public.

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