Becoming friends with patients?

Revvy1337 · Jan 13, 2011

being friends is alright but each facility has own rules. I would caution against it as significant others sometimes read into it all kinds of thoughts if you befriend a married individual.. That is just my opinion.

nursejoed · Jan 13, 2011

It's all about judgment. If the friendship blossoms after discharge, fine. Just be careful if the patient is readmitted- you should not have them on your assignment.

rn undisclosed name · Jan 13, 2011

I personally think it is inappropriate. You are acting in a professional capacity and this has crossed those boundaries when you develop a friendship.

SlightlyMental_RN · Jan 13, 2011

At our facility, it's not allowed, and she/he would be fired.

systoly · Jan 13, 2011

You're post is vague so I'll give you both scenarios.

You met a nurse while you were visiting someone at the hospital - no problem

You're the actual patient and this nurse was assigned to you - bad idea

rockabye · Jan 13, 2011

Nurses can befriend FORMER patients.

Jingles39 · Jan 13, 2011

A member of my husband's side of the family MARRIED the girl he had as his nurse when he was in the hospital for a burn injury (he waited a year or two after being d/c, of course :lol2: )....12 yrs and 2 great kids later they're still going strong...and she continues to work as a very successful cardiac nurse.

As long as it didn't affect my ability to do my job, and didn't jeopardize the reputation of the hospital, I really wouldn't care. JMHO.

Ackeem, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jan 13, 2011

Apart of good patient care is actually becoming friends with the patients, in that way the pt gains some level of trust and respect towards the nurse. that makes our work very much easier, it also enables the Pt to be more comfortable than how they would have, as a result they become less hostile.

Most of the time that relationship fades away after discharge, but if it continues there's nothing wrong with that.

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2011

Fine if you were discharged, met her by chance afterwards and then become friends; totally wrong if you were her patient and she allowed you to befriend her. There's all sorts of issues at stake...professional conduct, conflict of interest on her part, and the "fixation" that some patients develop towards their nurses on your part.

However, I do agree with the poster who pointed out that you are a bit vague as to the actual situation; were you her patient or were you visiting someone?

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2011

Apart of good patient care is actually becoming friends with the patients, in that way the pt gains some level of trust and respect towards the nurse. that makes our work very much easier, it also enables the Pt to be more comfortable than how they would have, as a result they become less hostile.
Most of the time that relationship fades away after discharge, but if it continues there's nothing wrong with that.

Nurses should not become "friends with" their patients, but should try to cultivate a "friendly attitude" towards them.

It may sound a bit nitpicky, but there is a difference. :)

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2011

Apart of good patient care is actually becoming friends with the patients, in that way the pt gains some level of trust and respect towards the nurse. that makes our work very much easier, it also enables the Pt to be more comfortable than how they would have, as a result they become less hostile.
Most of the time that relationship fades away after discharge, but if it continues there's nothing wrong with that.

Friendships are bidirectional relationships though- you meet the needs of your friends and they meet your needs. As a nurse, you shouldn't be having your social needs met through patient interactions: that's a big boundary issue.

So I'm with GHGoonette on the distinction being an important one.