Bad Hair Bandit and Nurse-Patient Boundaries

[Guest371144]

This week I was interviewed about the Bad Hair Bandit case and correctional nursing boundaries with patients. I must admit, it was an interesting take on the events. You've heard the story, right? Seems the bank robber was a nurse for a time at the prison where her recent and much younger husband was an inmate. Here is a link to the story http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/19/MNVN1KP790.DTL

What are your thoughts on boundary issues with inmate-patients? My take is that it is similar to boundary issues in any setting but we have to add in the higher level of manipulation with the inmate population.

Did you receive any education about boundaries when you oriented to your position? Do you think there should be more emphasis so that nurses are not drawn in to inappropriate relationships?

Lorry

[chulada77, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Each facility is different and many nurses are agency affiliated. My facility seems to have a training all the time about boundaries and if I have to hear about not having a sexual relationship with my co-workers or inmates one more time I may vomit! Seriously though, there is extreme emphasis on keeping our boundaries and not trusting anyone regardless if they are a "trustee inmate" or not.

Example: Inmate came to the pill line and told the nurse that she had a nice smile. Her reply "your not suppose to be looking at my teeth, so take your pills and get out of my pill line. Also, next time you say something like that I'm going to write you up." I think after awhile that you can recognize a manipulator a mile away. Good Luck!

[caliotter3]

By turning a blind eye toward obvious infractions of professional boundaries employers tacitly support such behavior. My employer is well aware of such a situation where I now work. According to them, it does not affect the work of the involved nurse. I have a different take on that one since I have to deal with this person on a regular basis. The rules don't pertain to this nurse so new nurses assigned to the case take their cues from her and poor performance prevails.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

Each facility is different and many nurses are agency affiliated. My facility seems to have a training all the time about boundaries and if I have to hear about not having a sexual relationship with my co-workers or inmates one more time I may vomit! Seriously though, there is extreme emphasis on keeping our boundaries and not trusting anyone regardless if they are a "trustee inmate" or not.

Example: Inmate came to the pill line and told the nurse that she had a nice smile. Her reply "your not suppose to be looking at my teeth, so take your pills and get out of my pill line. Also, next time you say something like that I'm going to write you up." I think after awhile that you can recognize a manipulator a mile away. Good Luck!

I think that nurses' reply was a little harsh. My response would be "that's inappropriate. Say or do anything inappropriate like that again, and I'll give you a ticket."