Dating Coworkers??

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

What are your thoughts and ideas about this... many people that I work with are married to people that they met working but I can see how it could be very complicated as well.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Prehospital.

I don't date anyone who works on the same unit as I do. As you said, things can get messy. There is plenty of other people outside my unit and don't have to worry about as much drama this way.

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

I believe that is somewhere a policy against dating a coworker in US? My personal advice stay away of this...from where I come I had 2 sweet coworkers that dated and finally was married. The policy was one of them need to be on another department moved.... and she was worked in ER. Of course that him always called her to announce a "heart on fire" loool, on the night shift ... but... never, ever don't play your heart on the same department!

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.

I just like to keep it simple. So far I have never dated at work. I have no plans to date at work, in fact just the opposite. There is such a large population around me that the idea of dating at work has no appeal and makes no sense at all.

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Specializes in Pulmonary, MICU.

Yeah, there is no US policy on that, the policies will be set per facility. When I was about 17, my boss at the time told me something that I will always remember. "Boy, you don't **** where you sleep." The starred word being a synonym for "poop" ;). And it's good advice..keep things separate. It's great to date someone from the same facility...you can possibly work identical schedules. But don't date anyone from the same unit you work...it could get very ugly if (when) things end.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I do not see any problem with dating someone from where you work....it happens in all industries, Many many people meet this way and you have something in common as well. It is only natural to get close to those you work around and with. I would not have my beautiful daughter and only child if had a "RULE" about this. I say life is SHORT and if you find love and friendship there..well so be it and go for it. As a matter of fact I am seeing someone from my place of employment now...and we are having lots of fun. I always tell myself I can handle it and I believe it...and I do.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I don't think it's a smart idea to date people from your unit. It's not a 'hard and fast rule' for me ... more along the lines of 'prudence'.

I'm not as concerned about the whole "fallout if/when something goes wrong" angle in as much as I'm about maintaining professionalism and objectivity at work.

However, I DO know couples who are involved at work and they seem to be doing great.

cheers,

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I'm an RCP and my wife of 17 years is an RN. I sure didn't meet her outside of the hospital. Being in different departments helped. The only rule our facility had about married people was that they could not work in the same unit if one was responsible for the evaluation/promotion of the other. Pretty obvious.

As for dating, there are 4000 employees at the hospital I met her at. Dated before her and had no problems with ended relations. We had 2 kids and she became a full time mom, so it's not any kind of issue now.

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

i met my husband when we were both working in the ccu. we worked together for four years as friends, then another four as lovers. we married and continued working together, and when we left that hospital, we worked together in two more hospitals. the biggest problem i had was running into his ex-lovers everywhere . . . including our boss! not so much an issue now that we've moved!

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Specializes in CVICU.

I've seen (and been in) the good, the bad, and the ugly, when it comes to relationships at work.

I personally think it's better if you at least date outside your unit. There's much less chance for drama that way. Also it is easier to remain professional. When my ex and I both worked in the same ICU, we would constantly nit-pick each other's work and get frustrated with one another. It was very stressing on the relationship.

I know of a tech I work with who was dating one girl from our unit and another in the ER. Both girls knew about the other one... well one day (recently, I might add), both girls confronted said co-worker, and I don't think it was pretty :)

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I admit, I hate it when coworkers get romantic. We've had so many people quit over the years after the relationship ended and most of it was due to the same few who just can't seem to meet people outside of work!

Personally, it's not my thing. I have learned from previous relationships that 1) there is such a thing as too much togetherness and 2) just having work (or school) in common is not enough in common to build a real relationship. I know others have had much success and I'm quite happy for them! But I also believe spending 40 + hours a week with someone can make you feel things you wouldn't otherwise.

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Specializes in mental health.

I think it can be very hard (traumatic, even) to have to keep seeing your ex at work after a painful break-up.

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