Carolyn Strom says each outcome in the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association case against her has left her feeling defeated.
The Prince Albert nurse is facing a $26,000 fine for publicly criticizing her grandfather’s treatment at a long-term care facility in Macklin, Sask. on Facebook two years ago.
“I’ve been crushed,” she wrote to CTV News.
She’s yet to speak out on the case, but on Thursday she issued a statement.
“On the process so far, it should come as no surprise that I'm frustrated and extremely disappointed at the outcome of my case,” wrote Strom, who is appealing the fine. “The extent to which my words have been twisted, taken out of context and used against me has been baffling.”
Strom was found guilty last October of professional misconduct by an SRNA disciplinary committee. The committee ruled she violated the registered nurses’ act when she posted on Facebook about what she called the “subpar” treatment of her grandfather.
She violated the act by harming the reputation of nursing staff at the facility and undermining the public’s confidence in the staff, the committee ruled. She also did not use the appropriate channels to bring forward her complaints or conduct herself professionally when using social media, the ruling stated.
The fine against her was issued last week. Most of the money — $25,000 — is meant to refund the SRNA for the costs of the investigation into her post and the resulting hearings.
A medical malpractice lawyer in Toronto, Amani Oakley, says the SRNA investigation was wasteful. The association’s penalty decision states the investigation costs exceeded nearly $150,000.
“It’s absolutely the SRNA’s job to understand if, for example, there was poor care given to the patient as a result of other nurses. Absolutely it’s the job. What it isn’t the job to do is to muzzle nurses. That’s what I think the disciplinary decision does,” said Oakley, who donated $2,000 to a GoFundMe page raising money for Strom.
The page, set up after the fine was handed down, has so far raised more than $22,000.
Strom is grateful for the support.
“I'd like to thank every single person for their kindness and generosity,” she wrote. “If I can take any positives from this so far, it is that I have been able to meet and connect with some pretty amazing (and empathic) people. That gives me hope.”
SRNA officials have declined to comment, stating the process is still ongoing.
The association’s decision document states Strom must pay the $25,000 penalty by April 1, 2020. The rest of the fine, $1,000, is to be paid by July 1 of this year.
--- with files from Rebekah Lesko
