Friend in Hospital

[antidote]

Last night around 2am I awoke from a sound sleep (well, more like this morning) to hear that one of my close friends was in the hospital. After I heard I rushed directly into the hospital (in my PJ's ) to find out he had a synocopic seizure. I haven't been able to talk with the doctor yet so I can find out the exact cause, hopefully I'll get around to it today.

In any case, what does the manegement of a hospital find so terrible about letting you be the nurse of a friend while he/she is in the hospital? I'm now off for three days and wouldn't have a problem even volunteering, I just want to make sure she gets the best care there is (and thats ME! - just kidding, there are other of great nurses). But anyways, I normally work in the CCU/ICU of the hospital and she is in the med-surg unit of the hospital.

I never did understand this so here is my question: why don't they allow you to nurses a friend? (even if they are in your department) and you're perfectly fine with it?

[mamason]

I think it has something to do with the fact that you are emotionally involved with that person and should something happen, you may get too upset to think quickly and clearly. Not sure. Just my two cents.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

There is something to be said for professional objectivity. A nurse often might spend more time with that person on their assignment and not as much with the others in their care. Also, it is unfair to put the burden on the patient to share medical information they may not want to share with a social friend.

[antidote]

There is something to be said for professional objectivity. A nurse often might spend more time with that person on their assignment and not as much with the others in their care. Also, it is unfair to put the burden on the patient to share medical information they may not want to share with a social friend.

I've never really took that into consideration at all - thanks for the response!

[TazziRN, RN]

It's also pt privacy......as the friend's nurse you will be privy to info she may not want you to have without realizing it. But the big thing is objectivity...same reason why we and docs shouldn't take care of relatives. We may either miss something or see a non-existent problem.

[mommy2boys]

I'm not a nurse yet, but I wanted to wish your friend to a speedy recovery. And even if you can't be his nurse, you can still be their for them.

Erin

[GingerSue]

and I hope that your friend is doing well

but I would agree with the above posts that refer to patient privacy - she might not want you to know her personal information

[allantiques4me]

I would think the hospital might consider it a liability,and a privacy issue.I mean HIPPA rules,you know.I hope your friend is doing well.

[Batman24]

I'm not a nurse yet, but I wanted to wish your friend to a speedy recovery. And even if you can't be his nurse, you can still be their for them.

Erin

Ditto on all counts. They are lucky to have such a wonderful and caring friend.

[antidote]

Ditto on all counts. They are lucky to have such a wonderful and caring friend.

Thanks for the kind words Batman, and all the others that have commented about my friend and myself! I greatly appreciate it.

I drove up there around dinner time (I think, I can't even remember now ) and she was talking and seemed pretty much fine from my point of view. That was during the shift change so I wasn't able to talk to the doctor. But, I made sure that her nurse and CNA was doing they're job as they were supposed too!