Care, compassion,comfort

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Specializes in LTC; Home Healthcare;Hospice;Med/S.

Is it approrpiate or non appropriate to hug or kiss a patient on the cheek if they welcome it and are comforted by the gesture?

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I would never in 8 million years kiss a patient. And I work with cute little babies and kids.

Completely NOT appropriate.

Hugging is iffy...depends on type of hug, circumstances, environment, patient age, etc.

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Specializes in LTC; Home Healthcare;Hospice;Med/S.

thank you for you comment.

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I believe it is appropriate to hug patients/family members as long as it is mutual and done in an appropriate manner. I welcome quick hugs of thanks as a patient leaves and family members usual welcome quick hugs for comfort when they lose a loved one.

I agree with the PP, however, I would NEVER kiss a patient. Not even on the cheek. I would not be too fond of receiving one either. Given, in some cultures it is completely appropriate to give a quick kiss on the cheek to show appreciation/say hello, and, I can appreciate everyone's culture and beliefs...but I still would have to firmly - yet kindly- let them know that I would rather they did not.

IMO, as long as the hug is appropriate and mutual...I do not see it as an issue. Kisses- NOPE.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I think hugs are fine under certain circumstances. Especially when you work in a nursing facility where the residents are almost like family, many of them need human touch and physical affection to thrive, and sometimes the staff are the only people to provide it. But I draw the line at kisses, which are rarely (if ever) appropriate even when you've known a patient/resident for a long time. In our culture kissing is an intimate act, which could lead to accusations of improper behavior as it relates to boundary violations.

So no, I would never kiss a patient, but I've given plenty of hugs. :)

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I have to tell this story though. I've told it before here on AN.

When I was a student, during clinical in L&D, I took a baby to the NICU for assessment. After assessment and bath, the nurse asked me to take the baby over to the window so the parents could look at him when they got up to the NICU. I walked the baby back and forth, soothing him and when the parents showed up I walked over to the window. After a bit I continued walking with him as he was fussy and I kissed him on the head. It was just a reflex . . .I didn't even think about it.

:nailbiting:

I didn't get into trouble but I did go out and apologize to the parents.

So yeah, don't kiss. But hugs, in the right circumstance, are ok.

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Specializes in LTC; Home Healthcare;Hospice;Med/S.

thank you some much for your comments. :)

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I would stop at hugging.

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

In pedi homecare it's tempting but very inappropriate to kiss the children. They are NOT your child they are your patient/ client. Kissing the patient crosses major boundaries and can cause major animosity especially if you are home with the child so that the parent can return to work.

Hugs are relative and depends on work environment. ED not so much. LTC depends on the situation.

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

And kissing/hugging have no correlation with the care, compassion or comfort measures offered by a professional, licensed nurse.

I know one nurse who has been terminated twice now for consistently crossing professional boundaries by being overly affectionate with young patients. The parents often felt she was trying to surrogate parent their sick child. One family feared the nurse was going to run away with their child! (If the family was eating, rather than let the child sit at the table with family (NPO status and no interest in PO feeds) she would take the child out for a "long walk" so the family wouldn't be bothered.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Is this a homework question?

Hugs are OK. Kisses, not so much.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

When I worked in Peds I got and gave hugs everyday. I once (30 years ago) kissed a small child on the forehead and when I got a very salty "taste" we did labs and were able to diagnose his condition.

When I worked in Hospice I got and gave hugs regularly. I am not grossed out by the thought of a kiss on the cheek to a person who needs it.

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