Rene Janine Harris fronted the Civil and Administrative Tribunal NSW at two separate hearings on June 22 and July 10, 2020.

The decision was handed down on August 20, 2020.

Ms Harris was employed as an enrolled nurse at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital, working in the emergency department.

The Health Care Complaints Commission brought the matter before the tribunal after Ms Harris was charged with one count of having goods suspected of being stolen - a prescription book - in her possession.

Ms Harris was convicted in the Port Macquarie Local Court on April 24, 2019, and ordered to pay a fine of $350.

Between 7.50pm and 8.30pm on January 10, 2019, Ms Harris was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by police on the Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie.

A search of the vehicle located a Port Macquarie Base Hospital prescription book.

The prescription book had the first five prescriptions missing - two of the prescriptions had been pre-filled in the name of the nurse's daughter.

According to the tribunal hearing, Ms Harris admitted to police that the prescription book belonged to her.

Ms Harris was registered as an enrolled nurse on March 29, 2010 and she was employed at the base hospital from 2009.

Ms Harris informed the tribunal she was unable to attend that hearing because she had full time care of her grandchild and applied for an adjournment to the first hearing.

At the second hearing, Ms Harris gave oral evidence.

She told the tribunal she denied that she took the prescription pad from the hospital, saying she "had no clue it was in the car".

Ms Harris told the tribunal she would like to return to nursing in the future.

She did not attend a subsequent hearing by the nursing and midwifery council of NSW where her registration was suspended.

Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.