Former B.C. nurse disciplined for ‘inappropriate physical measures’ on elderly patients

A nurse holds a tablet in this stock image from Shutterstock.

A former licenced practical nurse in Victoria has been publicly reprimanded for “using inappropriate physical measures on vulnerable elderly patients to gain their compliance,” according to the regulatory body.

Melanie Piscia’s “practice issues” occurred between April and September of 2024 and also included problems related to safe medication administration, according to the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives.

“Nurses are accountable for their nursing decisions, actions, and professional conduct. Nurses must ensure they meet BCCNM practice standards for providing safe nursing care to clients,” the college wrote in a public notice. “Nurses are expected to care for all patients ethically and to respect and protect patients’ worth and dignity.”

The college says Piscia is not currently working as a nurse, but agreed to limits on her practice that would be in effect should she successfully re-register.

Those conditions include a reprimand and suspension of her registration, taking remedial education on ethics and geriatric care, and working under supervision.

“The inquiry committee is satisfied that the terms will address the professional and practice concerns that arose and will protect the public,” the college wrote.