Commissioning a patient?

[aikaser2RN]

So as topic says. I can’t find any real information or advice about this so I’d figure I’d ask other nurses. I also find info about accepting gifts or money from nurses or just flat out giving money to patients etc. but nothing about hiring a patient for work like art commissions.

Long story short, I have a patient who likes to draw. In my opinion she’s very good and I know my fiancé would love her work. We talked about her art and she has expressed wanting to do commissions. She has been drawing pretty much non stop since becoming a patient here and has freely given myself and other nurses quick pieces as a thank you. I would like to commission her but this also does involve the exchange of course of money. The simple fact that she is my patient seems to put into question whether buying her art is okay to do and I can’t seem to find a “right answer” for it. So I guess I’m looking for some opinions/guidance here. Thanks.

[Olivelove20]

If you are questioning already if it's "right" then the answer is no, it isn't. Not sure what you mean by "the exchange of course of money" - you intend to pay her or ask her to draw the picture for free? Either way, not professionally acceptable.

I'm sure wherever you work has a policy about gifts from patients and it may contain something that lends itself to your situation.

My suggestion is as long as she is a patient, I would steer clear of doing any business with her. It could turn into a mess pretty quickly. There are millions of other artists out in the world who could provide what you are looking for I'm sure w/o the ethical dilemma you are looking at in this situation. 

[EDNURSE20, BSN]

Personally I don’t see what the big deal is. Especially if she has sold her art like this before. Sound like a normal business deal to me. But maybe wait till she’s discharged. 

if you are concerned, check with your manager.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

When I worked on an ACT team, we had a very talented patient who painted, drew pen and ink, and sculpted. She had schizophrenia. With a lot of support from her family and from our team she was able to achieve some local notoriety for her work and sell items online, at shows, local stores and galleries.  She was living independently in the community. Some of our team bought items from her. I did not. But I think what they did was probably okay. They were advocates. That was their role, and it allows for a closer relationship than nurse- patient.

I would have complained if they tried to commission her though. That is a conflict of interest. She is our patient (client, program participant). A commission is like an employment arrangement. It would be wrong for her to work for any of us. It’s a different thing to simply buy an item that has already been made.

Wait until discharge. If this is long term care, just don’t do it. Help her get contracts elsewhere if possible to support her in her goals; if they are indeed her goals.

[JKL33]

8 hours ago, aikaser2RN said:

She has been drawing pretty much non stop since becoming a patient here and has freely given myself and other nurses quick pieces as a thank you.

What is the setting and what is the nature of this patient's admission?

[londonflo]

11 hours ago, aikaser2RN said:

. I would like to commission her but this also does involve the exchange of course of money

I have dated physicians in our small city,( while at local restaurants)  who have been sent the gift of a bottle of wine from another person (former patient) at another table. It was acceptable at the time because to rebuff the gift would be rude. However, requesting a commission would be better after a year or two. This fear of supporting patients we come in contact with and appreciate their artistic work while  staying at "an arms length distance" only hurts the talented artists

[Closed Account 12345]

Any time one patient is offered preferential treatment over another, or any time your personal life is blended with your patient's personal life, a violation of professional boundaries has occurred.

-Hiring a patient for a commission is preferential treatment.

-Your role in this patient's care is as professional nurse. The patient's role is to receive clinical care.  The roles should not shift to employer (you)/employee (patient).  If you like this patient's artwork, find an artist with a similar style.