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 鈥渆gregious breaches鈥� of professional standards.

The breaches occurred between August and September 2021 鈥渨hile Ms. Van Tongeren was in a professional and therapeutic nurse-client relationship鈥� with a vulnerable adult, according to a panel of inquiry committee.

鈥淢s. Van Tongeren engaged in a romantic and physical relationship with the vulnerable client; breached privacy standards by accessing the client鈥檚 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,鈥� the panel stated in a notice.

The cancelled registration was part of a 鈥渃onsent agreement鈥� 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.

鈥嬧�嬧�漈he 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,鈥� it said. 鈥淭he Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public.鈥�

The work of BCCNM is guided by the Health Professions Act, and a formal investigation into a nurse鈥檚 or midwife鈥檚 conduct, can be requested by written complaint.

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