Facebook nurses and patients

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Should a nurse befriend a former patient when that patient sends a friend request. I have seen both positive and negative outcomes when this happens, what is your opinion?

Dude.

I ain't mad atcha

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Specializes in NICU.

My opinion differs from most here (and I don't need you to convince me I am wrong...I am perfectly fine with my use of social media where patient families are concerned), but I work in the NICU, and I accept friend requests from my patients' families after their babies are discharged. Our families sometimes become very close to their nurses while we are caring for them and their babies, and it's a great way to see the babies grow and change. I don't put anything on Facebook that I would not want them to read, and if they try to overstep by asking for medical advice, I put a stop to it. My organization does have a social media policy, but it does not forbid Facebook friendship, as long as we are representing ourselves, our profession, and our organization in a positive and professional manner. Seeing babies who I have taken care of grow up is such a highlight of my Facebook experience, and I am so glad to have the opportunity. Of course, if I worked for a network that forbid it, I would follow those rules.

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I have a couple of FB friends that are HD pts at my old clinic. They take pics of their pets and fingernails, never had a problem don't see a problem.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Nope, nope, nopeity, nope nope nope.

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I absolutely would not pay any attention to social media requests from my patients. To me that is a very important part of leaving work at work and of course it will involuntarily bust HIPAA when the patient wants to talk to you in public about their situation; you'd basically have to ignore the conversation to cover yourself. Also you have no idea if the personal lives of your patients are the kind of people you want your employers to associate you with. The only thing that's close, as was said above, is a friend of mine who I've known a long time prior came to my ER. We were already friends on facebook and neither of us felt any inclination to have a discussion except in person which was fine. That's about as far as I would ever go.

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My opinion differs from most here (and I don't need you to convince me I am wrong...I am perfectly fine with my use of social media where patient families are concerned), but I work in the NICU, and I accept friend requests from my patients' families after their babies are discharged. Our families sometimes become very close to their nurses while we are caring for them and their babies, and it's a great way to see the babies grow and change. I don't put anything on Facebook that I would not want them to read, and if they try to overstep by asking for medical advice, I put a stop to it. My organization does have a social media policy, but it does not forbid Facebook friendship, as long as we are representing ourselves, our profession, and our organization in a positive and professional manner. Seeing babies who I have taken care of grow up is such a highlight of my Facebook experience, and I am so glad to have the opportunity. Of course, if I worked for a network that forbid it, I would follow those rules.

Absolutely agree with you 100%, fantastic approach!!

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
I will never have a facebook account or any of the other social media sites, ever. It's too awkward having pts and families trying to look you up

Is that your real name Sue Damonas? Could I look you up on the Pennsylvania Nurses web site and see what city you live in?

The Missouri Nurses web site will reveal not only when you obtained your license but the city they send your nursing license to as well as your license number so that anyone can go to Nursys to cross reference if you have had nursing actions against your license in any state you have held a license.

It's just TMI and creepy.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Some sound advice found here. Count me as another nurse who will not accept former patients as FB friends, for the reasons noted in previous posts.

Me too - I don't think anything good would come of it.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Psst- Maverick:

I'm betting Sue Damonas = pseudomonas, that nasty little bug. My state lists license number, date of issue, date of last renewal, and city your license is mailed to. If there's a disciplinary history, it will state that but not provide details. I don't think it's creepy; my home address is public record and can be found by someone determined enough by going through deed transfer records. Any information can be found by anyone determined enough to find it.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
Psst- Maverick:

I'm betting Sue Damonas = pseudomonas, that nasty little bug. My state lists license number, date of issue, date of last renewal, and city your license is mailed to. If there's a disciplinary history, it will state that but not provide details. I don't think it's creepy; my home address is public record and can be found by someone determined enough by going through deed transfer records. Any information can be found by anyone determined enough to find it.

Dang!! I am really embarrassed now!! That one blew right past me. Dang, again!

Actually it will state all the horrible details of some disciplinary actions. A full copy of the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Disciplinary Order in PDF format for your viewing pleasure. A former nursing acquaintance of mine lost her license to alcohol.

Yeah, it's legal and all but still feels creepy. I believe you, it would be hard to hide from someone determined enough.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm another one who does not accept Facebook requests from former patients or their family members. We have social networking policy at work, but that only applied to current patients. The choice to not friend former patient/ family members is my personal policy.

I don't' often post at all, I'm more of the lurker. And I'm super careful to only post appropriate things. I am friends with several co-workers, but I make that determination on an individual basis.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
My opinion differs from most here (and I don't need you to convince me I am wrong...I am perfectly fine with my use of social media where patient families are concerned), but I work in the NICU, and I accept friend requests from my patients' families after their babies are discharged. Our families sometimes become very close to their nurses while we are caring for them and their babies, and it's a great way to see the babies grow and change. I don't put anything on Facebook that I would not want them to read, and if they try to overstep by asking for medical advice, I put a stop to it. My organization does have a social media policy, but it does not forbid Facebook friendship, as long as we are representing ourselves, our profession, and our organization in a positive and professional manner. Seeing babies who I have taken care of grow up is such a highlight of my Facebook experience, and I am so glad to have the opportunity. Of course, if I worked for a network that forbid it, I would follow those rules.

Agreed.

I am only FB friends with one family Of a former or of mine in Pedi Home Health; the pt us growing and doing well and is an older sibling now. I'm also no longer with the company either, and became FB friends years after I parted ways from the family and company.

This family is the first and last pt I will be FB friends with.

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