under-aged partners rooming in

Nurses Relations

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I currently have a situation with a 31 year old female patient who has/had her 17 year old boyfriend sleeping in the bed with her. I explained that it was not appropriate in the hospital and that he would have to get out of the bed.

Any thoughts on this type of situation?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Depending on your state...this might be illegal. If the age of consent is 18 in your state then it is statutory rape.

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If he is older than the age of consent, politely close the door and leave.

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If he is older than the age of consent, politely close the door and leave.

Ah....no way. I'd take a peek at that facility policy first. I've worked where this is NOT allowed; it doesn't matter WHAT age the visitor is, the rule was only the PATIENT can be in the bed, period. A visitor may sit on the edge of the bed but was never to be laying in it, EVEN with the patient in a bedside chair. Sometimes pointing out a drain-stain or scuzzy chux pad to a lazy visitor will get them jumping off that bed in a hurry :)

I had a number of times, as I recall, where I had to politely inform the Snuggle Bunnies that I'd appreciate Visitor getting out of bed, and please to take care in NOT sitting on that foley, or crimping the IV tubing. I had one such Snuggler who had taken the patient's JP drain and tossed it up onto the patient's abdomen, so as to not be between them. Yeah.....it's not an Anti-Gravity device, so thanks for that.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

In most states the age gap constitutes statutory rape especially since the male is a minor and the female is 14 years his senior. This would be the legal sticking point. If both were legal adults hospital policy would dictate.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

check with facility policy. The longer a visitor is in the facility the more risk of infection.

And I agree, he is a minor and that may not be legal where you are. So ask the Risk Manager for a ruling on it.

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I'm wondering where would a 31 year old woman meet a 17 year old? And I'm assuming he's still in high school. She's (hopefully) too young to have a son that age so probably not her son's friend.

As everyone else said, check with facility policy.

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I think 17 is an adult as far as sexual behavior goes... At least in MA and maybe even NY too.

Creepy as heck but it does depend on the state/ hospital policy.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The age of majority in NY & NJ is 18. In NE it's 19

In NJ a 17 year old could legally have a sexual relationship with someone 15-21. The fact that the partner is 31 creates a legal consent issue until the minor turns 18 or is a legally emancipated minor. Definitely refer to legal/risk management. Knowingly allowing a minor to have sexual relations with an adult 14 years their senior can fall under child abuse as we are mandated reporters. Do I think DCF/CPS needs to be called? Not necessarily but definitely following the chain of command is needed

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Why she couldn't wait until he was 18 is beyond me but maybe she's read that garbage about males reaching their sexual peak at 17 and wanted to see if it was true.

Either way it's illegal and she should be turned in. She's a pedophile in the eyes of the law and considered a sex offender because the guy is underage. Teachers of the same age have been arrested and charged as such-why should she be any different.

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