Perth nurse who showed ‘no remorse’ after being caught stealing allowed to reapply for registration in a year

A Perth nurse who showed “no remorse” for stealing items from an elderly couple’s home while providing care for their two disabled children could be back working in little more than one year. Michelle Jeanne Rosemary Bastin took household items including clothing, shoes, toiletries and even food from the family. The State Administrative Tribunal cancelled Ms Bastin’s nursing registration after determining she had engaged in “professional misconduct” while working for the couple — aged 69 and 70 — at their home. The father of the disabled patients was unemployed, while the mother was a housewife. According to tribunal documents, the nurse showed “no remorse” despite stealing from the “vulnerable” parents. The tribunal said the thefts, executed over four months between July and October 2019, were planned rather than opportunistic. Ms Bastin was trusted by the family and was frequently left unattended in the house and trusted with the care of both the property and the children. Ms Bastin sold several of the stolen items including shoes and some of clothing, on eBay. “When questioned by her employer, At Home Care, Ms Bastin attempted to minimise her behaviour,” the Tribunal documents state. “She did not cooperate with AHPRA’s investigation, accused AHPRA of defamation, and threatened to bring a civil claim against them.” Ms Bastin also did not engage with the tribunal hearings, which began in 2024 and concluded on June 4. “Given that Ms Bastin stole from vulnerable persons when she was in a position of trust working in their home, in circumstances that were planned and where she has not demonstrated any remorse or insight, we are satisfied that it is necessary to impose a penalty to protect the public from her committing further conduct of this kind,” the documents stated. Ms Bastin was also ordered to pay $14,000 to the Nursing and Midwifery Board to cover legal costs. The Tribunal has cancelled her nursing registration but she will be able to apply to the Tribunal for a reinstatement order for a period of 12 months. She would first apply to the tribunal for reinstatement and if approved, would also need to reapply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to become registered again. AHPRA would not comment on whether or not Ms Bastin’s registration would be granted if she were to reapply.