Do you "friend" your pts on Facebook???

Published

I am a new nurse and just started private duty nursing. My pts parents sent me a friend request on Facebook. I have yet to accept. I am friends with several of my co-workers on facebook and I saw that they do become friends with their patients. I am very hesitant to do this. I don't have anything "bad" on my page, but I just don't know that it would be appropriate. What do you think? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, teaching, cardiac, priv. duty.

No, no, no!!!!!! That is my strong opinion. Your gut hesitation is right! One of the big problems I encountered with private duty was nurses who lacked a professional boundary between themselves and the pt/family. Things can get out of hand fast and lead to all kinds of troubles.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Keep your relationship with your patients professional. Ditto ArwenEvenstar. I heard of a case where nurse is taking care of Grandma. Nurse and Grandson start to date...then comes an ugly breakup! Grandson calls the state board of nursing and tells how Nurse would give GM ibuprofen or an enema, etc. Nurse went through the blues with that. Never confuse the relationship! And I don't friend co-workers. My FB is family and very close friends. Co-worker don't need to know all of you comings and goings.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I wouldn't do it - not worth the potential problems and being that we are already in an unusual situation having the same patients for so many hours in their homes, it's important to maintain some separation and have a life of your own.

It can be a real shocker how fast that family who just loves you to pieces will turn right around and rip out your jugular vein, and oddly, they might not feel the need to offer you a reason. Too many stories here from nurses burned by their "friends".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sooooo true Nurse156. My concern is that you are not separating your work and personal times. Nursing is very demanding physically and emotionally. Work on building a strong, positive personal life so that you won't need to rely on your professional life to fill that need for you. If you lost your job, then what would be your support system? Take care of yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone! I decided to block the parents on facebook. They won't know that they are blocked and if they try to look me up they wont be able to find me. To them it will just look like I don't have a facebook account anymore. The co-workers that I am friends with on facebook are a few friends that I went to nursing school with so I have known them for quite a while. I appreciate all the feedback. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

no way!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I wouldn't do it - not worth the potential problems and being that we are already in an unusual situation having the same patients for so many hours in their homes, it's important to maintain some separation and have a life of your own.

It can be a real shocker how fast that family who just loves you to pieces will turn right around and rip out your jugular vein, and oddly, they might not feel the need to offer you a reason. Too many stories here from nurses burned by their "friends".

You could not be more right, esp., your 2nd paragraph!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I'm sort of on the other end of that spectrum. I have friended clients once they were no longer clients and I have quite a few coworkers (past and present) on the Book. I'm pretty well-known in my area anyway and I have over 600 "friends" so I'm never going to post anything that would disparage me or make people think differently of me... I am who I am both online and off. :):) That said, there are those who have requested me whom I've blocked, simply because I KNEW it wouldn't be a good thing to have that lined crossed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I couldn't agree more!!! I def wouldn't do it! The second paragraph is the best answer, because it's sooo true!!

I wouldn't do it - not worth the potential problems and being that we are already in an unusual situation having the same patients for so many hours in their homes, it's important to maintain some separation and have a life of your own.

It can be a real shocker how fast that family who just loves you to pieces will turn right around and rip out your jugular vein, and oddly, they might not feel the need to offer you a reason. Too many stories here from nurses burned by their "friends".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, also, great idea for blocking them so they can't find you!!! I'll have to keep that in mind for future reference! =)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Maybe I'm naive (or unprofessional), but I wouldn't think twice about friending a private duty client that I had a good working relationship with. Facebook has plenty of settings that will limit the information you share with certain groups of people, such as coworkers and clients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion