Crossed the line with a flirty family member. How to deal with ethical issues?

[Scuba_NurseBSN]

Last time I worked I had a patient's husband try to set me up with his son. He kept asking if I was single and I finally said I had a boyfriend and we've been together 6 years. Later he kept asking me if I was sure I wasn't single. I finally said "I'm going through my stuff with my boyfriend and we are sort of in the middle of a breakup". An aide I heard me say this and said "OMG you are bad!" and laughed. I felt horrible after I said it. It is never OK to disclose personal stuff with family members or patients. Although my relationship has hit a rocky spot, that is something I realize now I should have never said. EVER. And I feel I lost the respect of my aide co-worker. The scenario keeps replaying in my head over and over during my two days off and I am so upset with myself for crossing the line and being unprofessional. How can I gain the respect of my coworker back. And how do you deal with pushy family members who flirt with you? As a new nurse this is the first time I have dealt with an issue like this.

[neuron]

I don't think you're bad at all. You disclosed what you disclosed. Nobody is perfect.

[KristieRae71]

Cut yourself some slack. We've all made some verbal faux pas or possibly a less than great judgement call. Sounds like you have learned from this experience and that's what is important. You just try to improve... as we all should. You can't control what your co-worker thinks. Respect yourself. The rest will follow.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

I will echo the statements of many of the posters here. While I do not think you need to be rude, I do think you need to be stern and direct, so I don't agree with the "thanks but I don't mix business with pleasure" or blaming it on hospital policy type of thing. My response would be along the lines of "as your nurse that's not an appropriate topic and crosses professional boundaries that I adhere to." If you feel the need to "soften" the delivery you could always add a phrase like "no offense but" or "thank you but." Also, I believe changing the subject (asking about pain, if they need anything, etc) after deliverying the message makes it easiest for all parties to move forward and sets the standard that you are there to do your job while at the same time not making it awkward or making them feel like you hold feelings or they were chastised.

I also think people need to be more direct and honest when dating outside of work too lol.

Edited to add: also, if you are concerned about the coworker who heard you (not that I would worry about it too much if the rest of your work speaks well towards your overall work ethic), next time you guys are together you could always nonchalantly bring it up, be up front and say you didn't know how to deal with that situation and maybe see if she has any advice for you.

[guycna95, CNA]

Tell the family member you'd appreciate if they stop what their doing. But even sometimes that doesn't work. I know some family members that are "out there" if that doesn't work you'll have to get with don or administrator