Chamber handles growing number of complaints

Fifteen years after its creation in 2011, the National Disciplinary Chamber of the Nursing Order has become a well-known institution among nurses and patients. The number of complaints filed has been on the rise since 2020, with the most recent figures showing an expected increase in 2026.

Complaints mostly from nurses and the Order

In 2025, nearly two-thirds of the complaints came from nurses, though this percentage has decreased compared to previous years. The majority of complaints are filed against nurses, and the accused often appeal the initial decisions. Other complainants include patients and the Departmental Councils of the Nursing Order.

Types of sanctions and appeals

The most common sanctions in 2025 were warnings, followed by restrictions on practice and reprimands. The number of rejections of appeals has decreased, but the number of exclusions from the profession has increased slightly, partly due to cases related to the coronavirus. Most appeals come from those who were initially sanctioned, as the appeal process cannot worsen their situation.

Self-employed nurses dominate complaints

Self-employed nurses are the main subjects of complaints, as they are more likely to be involved in professional disputes with other self-employed professionals. Patients rarely file complaints against hospital nurses, as they must go through multiple layers of bureaucracy to do so, which often discourages them.

Judicialization of professional disputes

The Chamber has seen an increase in cases that are being treated as legal disputes rather than professional misconduct. This trend is partly due to greater awareness of the Chamber's role among patients and nurses. A significant portion of cases involve conflicts between nurses, which the president of the Chamber hopes will decrease in the future.

New precedents in 2025

The year 2025 saw several notable cases, including the exclusion of a nurse for misusing opioids and a three-year ban for creating fake health passes during the pandemic. The Chamber also extended its jurisdiction to include nurses not registered with the Order, marking a significant legal development.