Dating former patient

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hi I am in a very difficult situation and need sum advice...I have been asked on a date by a friend of a friend who happened to be a patient for very short time in psychiatric unit after a previous relationship failed for depression. He asked my friend about me after he left. I was never his nurse and not even sure if I wrote in his notes...this was about a year ago. Hes not in the services anymore and I don't remember any confidential info about him only why he was there. Is it wrong for me to accept this date?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
You have an easy "out" right now. You can simply pass on the message that you're not allowed to date a former pt - leave it at that. You don't have to get into all the minutiae of whether you were actually assigned to him as his nurse. No feelings hurt. I agree with everyone else. There very well may be legal/ethical issues with this. But even if it somehow escapes those issues this guy and the situation itself sound very risky for you with a very high probability of a negative outcome. You are worth more than that.[/quote']

^THIS. :yes:

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I see a problem that he has/had psych issues and it would be healthy to get involved with this person. Being a former patient doesn't seem unethical to me, since it was a former (not current) patient. As others have stated, you do have an out now, since some nurses might see it as unethical to date even a former patient.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
hi I am in a very difficult situation and need sum advice...I have been asked on a date by a friend of a friend who happened to be a patient for very short time in psychiatric unit after a previous relationship failed for depression. He asked my friend about me after he left. I was never his nurse and not even sure if I wrote in his notes...this was about a year ago. Hes not in the services anymore and I don't remember any confidential info about him only why he was there. Is it wrong for me to accept this date?

The fact that you are asking must mean that you are interested in him. I would be cautious about getting involved with someone that was a former pt and went for treatment due to a break up.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Pulmonary Med, Primary Care.

There is nothing "difficult" about this "situation". It's sweet of you to care, but as far as professionalism and facts are concerned, this is a no brainer.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Pulmonary Med, Primary Care.
There is nothing "difficult" about this "situation". It's sweet of you to care, but as far as professionalism and facts are concerned, this is a no brainer.

In other words, politely decline and carry on smartly.

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Don't do it

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Absolutely fascinated by health professionals who begin relationships with patients. It doesn't matter if you don't think you did care for him directly. Once that nurse patient role is established, there is no equal partnership. You know the answer to your own question.

And while I'm at it, stay away from the docs too.

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Red flag he was on a psych unit!

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Once I read "psychiatric", it was over for me .... :p

Sent from my iPad using allnurses.com

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

What scares me is the possibility that someone might think this is somehow a mystical, romantic and rainbow dancing unicorns in the sky moment.

This sort of thing is best left to daydreams.

There are plenty of venues to find dates.

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I just attended a conference where a member of the legal team of the BOM lectured on her list of "absolute NOs" in professional practice. On the short list was dating a patient and she made sure to cite examples of the people who had lost their licenses by doing this. I realize that this person was not one of your patients but I still think it should be avoided and agree with all of the reasons already listed by previous posters.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

Not the best idea for several reasons. One he was a patient and you know about his hospitalization, two you state he went through a break-up and ended up being treated for depression about a year ago, are you really ready to get involved with a former patient that has issues with relationships? Don't do it!!!!

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