Former patient wishing to keep in touch..

[studential]

Hi!

I'm a student nurse currently on a ten week placement. My placement is very shortly about to end.

One of the patients, who has been there for the entirety of my placement time, and , recently asked me if they could keep in contact after I've left. They just want to let me know how they're doing, as they face major surgery a few weeks after I've finished there.

They originally asked if they could add me on Facebook, which I declined as I told them it could be considered unprofessional for a social media friendship. They then asked if they could have my phone number for the occasional text on how they're doing (which I automatically declined), or my email address to keep in contact.

I respect the professional boundary as me caring in a student nurse capacity.

Once I leave placement, I won't be able to get any updates on their treatment, naturally as I will no longer be a member of the team. Therefore, they would be a former patient. I was thinking maybe I could give my university email, then they could contact me if they wanted to with an update?

They purely want to let me know how (if they have surgery) they are getting on.

Any thoughts/advice on this would be great.

[Farawyn]

Nope.

You are there for "them" in a different capacity. Don't cross the streams.

[studential]

I completely understand this. Would it be inappropriate to give said patient a card wishing them all the best for future surgery on my last day working? Just want to let them know that I'll be thinking of them!

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Bad idea ...keeping in touch and the card.

[studential]

Thanks for advice!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Once the therapeutic relationship is over, it's over. You have no relationship after that point, of any sort.

[studential]

Thanks, I understand that, I just wanted some advice before checking in with my Mentor.

[loriangel14, RN]

Nope don't go there.