Am I in violation of code of ethics?

[Nursey916]

So I work at an adult day care and it's not really like a normal nursing job. I'm with the same ppl 8hrs a day 5 days a week so I've grown very close to my members. They're like family to me. I've taken some of my members to bingo outside of work, invited one of my members over for thanksgiving because he has no family and I've purchased clothes for some of my members with my own money bc they can't afford new clothes. A lot of the members are very low income and they Can't afford new clothes. One lady was even being beat up by her husband and he kicked her out...she had no where to go so I let her stay with me for the weekend til she figured it out. Am I in violation of something here? I know I probably am but that really bothers me because I'm in no way exploiting or taking advantage of any of the members I do all I can to help them. Could I get in trouble for any of this? I'm just really worried when state does their compliance check that they may find out about some of these things and I could get my licensed taken or suspended. Where so I go from here?

[lovinglife2015]

In addition to agreeing with the comments about professional boundaries being crossed, I would also seek new employment immediately. Sever all ties and move forward.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I think we've established that the behavior of the OP crosses major boundary lines. She hasn't been back to this thread, and I hope we haven't scared her off.

That being said, I also hope she realizes what danger she has put herself in---in many more ways than one---and that she will get some help in learning how to care for her clients without getting overinvolved with them in inappropriate ways.

[Nursey916]

I can get my license taken for taking someone into my home out of the kindness of my heart? I know as a nurse we have professional boundaries to uphold but part of why I got into the profession is because I love helping people. I never had any ill intentions or ulterior motives doing any of the things I've done. The Bon wouldn't understand that?

[Nursey916]

All the staff members have done things individually for the members. We have bought people car batteries, paid their electric bill, etc etc. Every single member at one point has had something they needed done for them. There has been no favoritism.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

It's not about your intentions. Taking a patient into your home is a major ethical breach and you need to cease this kind of behavior immediately. Don't waste time trying to justify it.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I know as a nurse we have professional boundaries to uphold but part of why I got into the profession is because I love helping people.

If you love helping people, help the clients while you are on the clock. Do not interweave these people into your personal life. Do not spend your own money on them. Do not invite them into your home. In nursing you are to refrain from crossing the boundary defined by the nurse/patient relationship.

I never had any ill intentions or ulterior motives doing any of the things I've done. The Bon wouldn't understand that?

BON enforcement officers generally frown upon nurses who violate professional boundaries, especially when the clientele consists of vulnerable patient populations (poor people, battered women, etc).

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

If everyone at your job is doing it, all that means is you're all

being unprofessional. You all are getting far too involved in your clients' personal lives.

You said that you understand there needs to be boundaries between a nurse and patient. I'm not so sure you do.

[Nursey916]

honestly I've been out of the nursing field for years and even when I was before I didn't work as a nurse long. My job never orientated me or trained me let alone sat down with me and discussed the stipulations between a nurse/patient work relationship. I'm not making excuses I'm just saying I was very unaware up until now.

[Nursey916]

All I can say is that it amazes me that nurses who have stolen narcotics to get high can get second chances for their wrong doings but I could get my license taken for being kind hearted. It's not fair.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Wait a minute---are you a licensed nurse, or not? I'm confused; in several posts you gave the impression that you were working and are licensed as a nurse. Now you say that you've been out of the field for years. Please clarify for us, if you will, what your job description is and what, if any licensing is required. We really can't help much if we don't have our facts straight.

[Nursey916]

I am an LPN and I work at an adult daycare as an LPN although there's very little clinical work that goes into my job. I have one dressing change a day and I pass meds to only 4 members. Most of my days are spent playing games and doing crafts with the members as there is very little nursing work to do. I am apparently a very naive nurse though cause I promise you I did not understand the severity of how wrong my actions were up until now. I have been licensed since 08, had a few jobs and decided at the time nursing was not for me and started working for my dads company. Long story short, working for my dad for a few years was not all I had planned on and I've been back in the nursing field for a year. Point is, I have very little experience as a nurse.

[Angeljho, MSN, NP]

honestly I've been out of the nursing field for years and even when I was before I didn't work as a nurse long. My job never orientated me or trained me let alone sat down with me and discussed the stipulations between a nurse/patient work relationship. I'm not making excuses I'm just saying I was very unaware up until now.

Are you a nurse? Now I'm unsure of your title. If you are a nurse, it is YOUR responsibility to know the legal and ethical aspects of nursing. And it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your facility's policies and procedures. "I didn't receive training" will not fly. You're making excuses for yourself. I understand that you care deeply for your patients, but I'm not buying the "I didn't know" card.