A registered nurse in British Columbia, Canada, is under investigation for allegedly offering to have sex with a patient during a medical assessment at her home. The provincial nursing regulator subsequently issued a temporary protection order against her.
The nurse, Lori Chern, has been prohibited from seeing patients through her private practice while the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) investigates the complaint. Chern denies the allegations.
Alleged Sexual Advances During Private Assessment
The BCCNM received a complaint in August after a patient reported an encounter with Chern. She operates RN Collaborate, a Kamloops health and wellness practice primarily serving men over 40.
According to the regulator's detailed protection order, a pharmacist referred the patient to the practice, after which the patient contacted Chern to schedule an assessment. The patient was directed to Chern's residence to complete medical forms for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
During the visit, Chern allegedly sat 'right next to him' on a couch while taking his blood pressure and began to caress his arm. After completing the reading, she complimented his physique, heart rate, and blood pressure, stating he had the health of an 18-year-old.
The order states that Chern asked about the patient's sexual activity and remarked that 'sex was very important for a man to regulate himself and be in good health'. She then – allegedly – offered to have sex with him.
Nurse offers male patient SEX after checking his blood pressure, claiming it would be GOOD FOR HIS HEALTH — complaint
— RT (@RT_com) November 10, 2026
Canada's Lori Chern allegedly caressed his arm, praised his physique & made a sexual advance
He declined and filed a complaint — she faces disciplinary action pic.twitter.com/nt0RaLexRT
The order states that, after he declined, she told him he could contact her outside of work if he wished to engage in sexual activity. According to the order, the complainant also submitted screenshots of text messages that he alleged were exchanged between the parties after he declined her offer of sex.
Nursing Regulator Restricts Chern to Hospital Work
The BCCNM's Investigation Committee reviewed the complaint. It found a prima facie case of sexual misconduct by Chern under British Columbia's Health Professions and Occupations Act.
The committee concluded that the allegations were not 'manifestly unfounded or exaggerated' and found the submitted text messages consistent with the complainant's account. The regulator will make a final determination after completing its initial investigation.
The committee also identified a significant risk to the public if Chern continued to practise privately without supervision. It subsequently decided that restricting her private practice was sufficient and did not suspend her nursing registration.
Chern may continue her roles at Dr Helmcken Memorial Hospital and Princeton General Hospital under Interior Health. However, the said restrictions will remain until the complaint is dismissed, a disciplinary order is issued, or the protection order is varied or terminated.
Nursing Standards Bar Sexual Relationships With Patients
The BCCNM's Nurses: Boundaries in the Nurse-Client Relationship standard explicitly prohibits nurses from engaging in sexual relationships with clients, regardless of consent. It requires healthcare professionals to maintain appropriate boundaries due to the imbalance of knowledge, authority, and influence in the nurse-client relationship.
The standard also prohibits romantic relationships with clients and any communication that could be considered seductive or disrespectful. These requirements were in effect when the alleged incident occurred in August 2026.
What Legal Consequences Could the Nurse Face?
Under British Columbia's Health Professions and Occupations Act, sexual misconduct is classified as professional misconduct. Sections 8 and 11 include sexually motivated touching, attempted sexual acts, and manipulating or exploiting a patient for sexual purposes within their definitions.
If disciplinary proceedings substantiate the allegations, the regulator may issue a reprimand or require remedial education. It could also impose additional practice restrictions, suspend Chern's registration and revoke her authority to practise.
The severity of any penalty would depend on the evidence, seriousness of the conduct, potential harm, and Chern's disciplinary history. Criminal proceedings would be separate from the professional investigation. An alleged sexual proposition alone may not constitute a criminal offence.
