HELP! Social question-over the line?

srerrn2 · Jan 20, 2011

ouch. i understand how much you care and that you want to extend friendship and assistance; but the first thing that you possess (and other people in similar circumstances do not have) is a nursing license. that said, you are always a nurse first in the eyes of anyone outside of the healthcare field. the license can imply to those outsiders that any relationship a nurse has outside of work can be interpreted as a contractual agreement. people have different expectations from nurses and doctors than they do other professions.
that said, licensed healthcare professionals are held to a higher standard and there are expectations placed on us, and whether it is fair or right has nothing to do with it. i used to do home health care and some of my patients would need a ride to the doctor's office or hospital and even though it may be less than 2 miles, i knew that i had better not do it. my insurance would not cover it if i were in an accident and if the person gets sick, injured, or hurt while under your care, right or wrong, you can be sued and your license threatened.
even if they are staying in your house and you state "i am not acting in a nurse capactity doing this" if anything happens, they will expect you to intervene and you will be held to that nursing standard. people will turn on you faster than greased lightening if something went wrong. same thing can happen if a neighbor comes banging on your door to ask you to look at their child's throat or to help with dressing changes.
it is important to establish that line of separation early and remember never to practice nursing outside of your place of employment and that you will forever have a license that can be challenged or threatened. i would suggest that you not do it. there is too much to loose for you, even with the best intentions and the most sincere heart.

@cheyfire: i think you answered this question quite well, taking into consideration both the ethical and legal ramifications. as nurses, it is our nature to want to reach out and to help and comfort others. however, we are held to a higher standard than others.

clearly, the op wants to help this family but i think it would not be a good idea to have the patient staying in your home. maybe while the child is in the hospital, you could invite the mom to stay for awhile. or, if you know this is a financial burden for the family, you could go to your own church or some of the local churches and synagogues if you aren't a member anywhere and ask for donations to help the patient and family stay in a nicer hotel and spend time with them there. there are many ways to reach out and offer friendship without crossing a professional barrier and possibly putting your license on the line. then, you wouldn't be able to help anyone.

Nurse Cathy Foley · Jan 20, 2011

You probably should do nothing more than go out to dinner with them...

elkpark · Jan 20, 2011

Wow, this is a tough one. I'm a student nurse and have seen a few issues like this come up already. They puzzle me since there are so many sides, plus there is no unanimous standard. They don't touch things like this in school.

Actually, there is a "unanimous standard" from the leadership of all the helping professions -- don't do it. It's professionally and ethically inappropriate, not to mention sometimes dangerous, to enter into personal relationships with clients. It's just that lots of nurses (and probably some individuals within the other groups, as well -- I just don't have as much contact with them) choose to ignore that sage advice.

And I'm always surprised when people comment that topics like this weren't addressed in nursing school. I was certainly educated about this issue in school, and have covered it thoroughly when I've taught in nursing programs. I'm kinda shocked that there are programs that don't talk about this and other improtant professional/legal/ethical topics, and always surprised at how many nurses come out of school knowing little or nothing about these issues (even things as basic as how licensure works).

PERSERVERANCE · Jan 21, 2011

elkpark,

i was also well-educated on this subject. as a matter of fact, a couple of my instructors harped on it and believe me, when i even consider blurring that line a little bit, my mind goes back and gets real clear real fast lol.

what amazes me is the fact that as soon as you start "nursing school", family and friends begin calling for advice and asking questions. one of my instructors told us that in class and i just laughed it off, but it was true. my grandmother was having a procedure and refused to have anyone else in the family with her besides me because i was "in nursing school". heck, i was just starting my core classes! i had 2 exams that day and lost 20 points on them (10 pts for each that i missed)...shaking my head...but i was there for my bestie that i love so very much!!! but seriously, i was shocked at how many people would just call out of the blue...strange to me :confused:

sometimes when it is a friend, it is difficult to remain professional at all times. with that being said, i try diligently to always be very careful to not "blur that line" or relationship with another because i was definately paying attention in class and know what can happen...and i don't want it to happen to me lol.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

I think if you are pondering the question, that's enough indication right there. If something truly doesn't feel right, don't do it. Better to steer clear and avoid repercussions altogether.