experienced nurses with professionalism advice

[Pinkyk868]

My instructor wanted our class to ask experienced nurses about what they thought about nurses crossing the professional boundary. Here are a couple of questions for anyone to answer and any feedback would be greatly appreciated:

1.) How do nurses maintain professional relationships?

2.) What are some warning signs that the professional relationship is becoming unprofessional?

3.) Is there anything wrong with becoming personally involved with a client?

[GardenDove]

1) By following the golden rule

2)When the fellow professional has a meltdown at the nurses' station

3)Yes, it's a bad idea unless the client is rich and single.

[GardenDove]

Just kidding on number three, of course it's unprofessional to date a client. Wait until he's discharged...

[Schatzi RN CEN]

1. By treating your clients with respect and professionalism.

2. When your empathy changes to sympathy

3. Absolutely. If there is a real connection, give it some time after the client has been discharged.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

1.) How do nurses maintain professional relationships? Nurses maintain professional relationships by teaching patients about their disease process and helping them to understand what helps/hinders their progress in getting well. It is the continuum of care.

2.) What are some warning signs that the professional relationship is becoming unprofessional? Some warning signs might be exchange of personal phone numbers, sharing more than professional information, spending more time with one patient over another just to chit chat versus perform care.

3.) Is there anything wrong with becoming personally involved with a client? Definitely - if you cross the professional line, you are no longer objective with your care.

I need to add that nowadays with the nurse/patient ratios and the amount of work required, where are these folks working that they even have time to contemplate a personal relationship????

[MALE*RN*777]

This is just my thoughts about professionalism. Who makes up this rule and what bases do they go by? I am more of the Patch Adams approach to nursing. Nurse Ratchet in "One Flew Over...." may be seen professional by some and not by others. What works for you and what works for others are totally different. You have to feel your co-workers and patients out and try (unless totally against your belief) your best to develop a working relationship.