Inappropriate relationship with pt?

Nurses Professionalism

Published

What do you feel about nurses crossing the line? How do you feel about nurses having sexual/personal relationships with patients? Is it right or wrong? What are some warning signs that a relationship is crossing the line? How can we maintain professional relationships?

It sounds like what went on in #2 post, was that the CNA and the pt had a relationship outside of the hospital. What the pt does while on furlough is his own biz, as is what the CNA does on her time is her own biz.

Of course there must have been something between them to initiate any interest in the first place while on duty, but as long as she remained professional about it while on duty, ie, not like the other girl laying in the pt's bed and letting him grope her breasts, I see no problem with it.

How lucky for this man, isn't it better to be cared for in a home by the person you love instead of a facility, as good as the staff may be??

Frankly, as long as the CNA did not overstep while ON DUTY, I think she has grounds for a lawsuit.

The facility has little choice but to fire the worker who has a relationship with a client. It is unethical and the facility could be held liable...so they would likely fire the worker to lower their risk; show they took action.

Along with it being unethical it is unprofessional behavior, IMO. If attraction occurs between a healthcare worker and a client, best shelve it til the professional relationship ends. It is too risky...why risk your job and career, professional reputation this way??

I've looked the other way a few times when I've seen a nurse 'cross the line' but there are people out there who would destroy a nurse if given a chance so it's a nobrainer for me. NOT worth it.

I also met my husband in the hospital. He broke his leg, had extensive surgery, and of the 8 days he was there, I took care of him 5. It was months later, I had well forgotton him, but he did not forget me. I did no flirting at the bedside, or any unmoral nurse to patient behavior. He just thought I was cute, came to the hospital, and asked me out for coffee. I was very reluctant to go with him anywhere, as I thought it was unprofessional behavior. (This was about 8 months after his discharge.) He asked for my phone number, but I only gave him my email address, and would not even respond. ALOT more time went by, and he was persistent, so I finally decided to go to dinner with him. We were married a year later, and now have 2 beautiful children! I still sometimes feel kinda unprofessional when my coworkers say "you married a patient?!?!?" Until I explain the circumstances..........I feel like it was fate, maybe he broke his leg to meet me. We are true soulmates!!! :)

Specializes in ICU.

That is worlds apart from the carer hacving an active involvement with someone in her care.

It has happened before today that this degree of involvment - especially in LTC has led to a change of will in the carer's favour.

It is also wrong for the carer themselves because there can be a psychological addiction to caring itself. There was a book - I think it was called "Women who care too much". It talked about how some can get themselves so far into the carer role that they become more dependant on the role itself than the relationship or the person at the center of that relationship.

Hi everyone. I have a question. I have been a nurse for 2 years at an icu... I was a student nurse and worker there. I took care of a pt post neurosurgery for about 3 weeks constantly. I see him as a kid he is 19. I made a professional mistake by sharing personal info with him including my phone number and my fb. Now he calls more than once a day and txts every day... I feel like my boundaries were crossed. My husband says ignore it but i want to tell the teen that i feel uncomfortable... What should i do? He is a 19 year old with recent neurological surgery and tumors.... Of course this is my fault, being the professional, but now im at a loss... Any suggestions?

Specializes in Critical Care.

What about after a patient came in for acute illness and was discharged and a length of time later you run in to them in public and things take off from there? Even in a nonromantic manner.

Always a question I had on my mind, and the chances of it occuring are pretty slim, but still and interesting scenario. Thoughts?

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to Nursing and Professionalism.

this does sound like homework, and i hope the op finds some actual references to cite, because i can assure you that the faculty won't like "i asked a lot of people i don't know on an online forum" in the bibliography. :D

seriously? do you have a copy of your state's nurse practice act? if you don't, or it's incomprehensible, get a copy of the ana scope and standards of practice, available at your favorite online booksellers for short money; it's a slim paperback. you should be able to find references there that address the nature of the nurse/patient relationship, the balance of power, vulnerability, and all the rest. this is, as you have probably gathered, a big no-no. people do lose licenses over this!

hi everyone. i have a question. i have been a nurse for 2 years at an icu... i was a student nurse and worker there. i took care of a pt post neurosurgery for about 3 weeks constantly. i see him as a kid he is 19. i made a professional mistake by sharing personal info with him including my phone number and my fb. now he calls more than once a day and txts every day... i feel like my boundaries were crossed. my husband says ignore it but i want to tell the teen that i feel uncomfortable... what should i do? he is a 19 year old with recent neurological surgery and tumors.... of course this is my fault, being the professional, but now im at a loss... any suggestions?

yep. block him on fb, change your phone number or screen his calls and do not answer them, erase any voice mails he leaves unheard, and do not, under any circumstances, initiate or respond to any further contact. do it now. nineteen and brain-damaged is too vulnerable and could attract unwanted attention.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

At my job, a manager suspected that a young LNA was having an inappropriate relationship with her client, who was about the same age. She was questioned about it twice, and denied it twice. The LNA was told that if there was a romantic relationship, and they found out from anyone other than her, she would be fired.

A few months later, the client called the agency and said they'd been having a sexual relationship for 6 months. The LNA had to be fired and reported to the Board of Nursing and Adult Protective Services.

If she'd admitted their relationship before that, she would've been taken off the case, and they could've ridden off into the sunset together.

Things happen. There are plenty of stories of happy married couples that met this way, however carrying on at work is always a no no. and you had better be able to keep your mouth shut if you want to keep your job.

I wouldn't do it even if I were single and interested, my work is too important.

+ Add a Comment