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by preciousbaby621

Updated Jun 15, 2007 at 01:09 PM by preciousbaby621

Hello Everyone!

I'm a pre-nursing student. Here's my question. Have any of you ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like, as a patient? If so, how did you handle this? Or what if that patient ( who knows you) didn't want you to be their nurse? What would be the proper way to handle this situation in the most professional manner? I'm just curious. I would really love to read what you have to say and get some advice. Thank you!

[TazziRN]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

Ethically we should not be caring for someone that we have a history with, like ex's. In that case it's expected and understood that the nurse will step back and not be assigned to that pt. If there is a personality conflict the nurse and pt have the right to ask for reassignment but it may be possible to switch.

[traumaRUs]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

Totally agree with Tazzi - you should ask to be reassigned.

[caroladybelle]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

Had a rather notorious white supremacist, from a looooong family history of being active in racist politics.

I tried to decline the patient. Unfortunately, due to the cultural and social makeup of the unit, I was one of the few nurses that had to care for him on the floor.

You see, I "look" white, while being Jewish. Many of the nurses were not caucasian and had many more problems with the patient's views. Despite the fact that the views held of Jews were as bad or worse.

The irony was, the patient was in a famous teaching hospital and the attendings/fellows/residents on the case due to the specialty, were Jewish, Arabic/Muslim, or Asian.

I doubt if ANY of the MDs on the case qualified as "white" per the group's definition.

One of the groups that he belonged to had actually threatened my family (my father was the first police officer on scene of an racially based sexual assault and testified against a member of the group), severaal decades ago when I was in high school.

[DutchgirlRN]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

I've run into this maybe twice in 32 years. I told the supervisor and they are more than glad to re-assign. They don't want problems either and it wouldn't be fair to the patient.

I can easily and respectfully care for patients, that I don't personally know, who I just don't like for whatever reason.

[banditrn]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

I was assigned my ex-DIL's, father's, long term girlfriend once. I didn't recognize the last name, but recognized her as soon as I walked into the room. We had a nice chat - I did NOT tell her I was her nurse - and went straight to my supervisor and asked to be re-assigned, which I was. It would not have been a good situation.

[Spidey's mom]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

I live in a small town - I know almost everyone I take care of and some of them I don't like.

If there is a problem, we just reassign ourselves.

steph

[puggymae]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

As the only RN on night shift I once had to take care of my mother-in-law!
Although I was apprehensive she was glad I was taking care of her.

On another occasion I point blank refused to care for my ex-husbands new wife! Somebody else took care of her (and I took my patient assigment on a completely different hall).

Our hospital is a small town hospital and there are patients everyday that I know on a personal basis - it usually doesn't bother them or me. Usually there is another staff member that will take over those patients if it will be a problem.

[arual56]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

Originally Posted by preciousbaby621

Hello Everyone!

I'm a pre-nursing student and a proud member of Allnurses website. Here's my question. Have any of you ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like, as a patient? If so, how did you handle this? Or what if that patient ( who knows you) didn't want you to be their nurse? What would be the proper way to handle this situation in the most professional manner? I'm just curious. I would really love to read what you have to say and get some advice. Thank you!

I agree with most everyone else. We have a policy at our hospital that you are not allowed to take care of relatives or ex-relatives. Our risk management figures that it is a law suit waiting to happen. Even if you don't do anything wrong, there is just too much liability. I would hate to be in the position of caring for my ex. My favorite way of explaining to others how much I don't like a facility is to tell them, "I wouldn't send my ex husband there, and I don't like him."

[RNperdiem]

Re: Ever had an ex-boyfriend, or someone you didn't like as a patient?

This is where you let your charge nurse know. Assignments are flexible things. If a family or patient tells the charge nurse they don't want someone as their nurse, someone else is assigned. Patient makes women feel uncomfortable- he gets a male nurse. If a patient is non English speaking- they get the nurse that can speak their language(if possible).
There will always be patients you don't like; just give good care and move on.