Former Lismore Base Hospital nurse Fiona Ann McCosker found guilty of misconduct, registration cancelled

A North Coast nurse went to work intoxicated, misappropriated medication and failed to disclose criminal findings against her, a tribunal has found.

Fiona Ann McCosker, 59, worked at Lismore Base Hospital.

A North Coast nurse went to work intoxicated, misappropriated medication and failed to disclose criminal findings against her, a tribunal has found.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has found Fiona Ann McCosker, 59, guilty of professional misconduct and determined she has an impairment affecting her capacity to practice nursing.

Ms McCosker’s nursing registration has been cancelled.

In published Health Care Complaints Commission findings, the Tribunal states Ms McCosker was working at Lismore Base Hospital between March 2019 and August 2020 and was the subject of criminal findings for common assault (domestic violence), assault occasioning actual bodily harm (domestic violence) and two contraventions of an apprehended domestic violence order.

Lismore Base Hospital.

Ms McCosker was found guilty of the assaults and breaches and sentenced to conditional release orders without conviction.

She failed to notify the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia in the required time frame, the decision states.

McCosker also “misappropriated” medication and “attended work at Lismore Base Hospital while intoxicated”.

The Tribunal heard Ms McCosker experienced relationship problems and had been “drinking to excess”.

The decision states the Tribunal’s “paramount consideration is the protection of the health and safety of the public”.

It’s stated Ms McCosker’s situation “may evoke some sympathy” but it does “not detract from the seriousness of the practitioner’s conduct”.

Lismore Base Hospital.

The Tribunal lists “the removal of a drug from the practitioner’s place of employment for personal use”, the “failure” to abide by conditions and failing to tell the Board about criminal charges.

“Each of these failures was, the Tribunal finds, a serious departure from the standards of conduct expected and required of a registered nurse,” the decision reads.

McCosker was first registered as a nurse on September 1, 1986.

The Tribunal heard her registration history was continuous from July 1, 2010 until September 7, 2020, when it was suspended.

McCosker failed to appear at the Tribunal which then determined its decision in her absence on June 21, 2023.

The Tribunal imposed a non-review period of two years and Ms McCosker is prohibited from providing any health services until registered as a health practitioner.