Is it ever okay to follow up with a patient you've cared for outside of work?

Nurses General Nursing

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Why or why not? I've heard compelling arguments on both sides.

Curious to hear personal stories.

I don't think there's anything wrong with it if the pt has initiated it. If OB/NICU/PEDS pts and their families can do it, then why not other pt populations and their families?

Whether or not OB/NICU/PEDS providers "can" do it is controversial. Just because some do, that doesn't make it a good idea or appropriate action.

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It's not uncommon at all for NICU nurses to stay in contact with a former "primary". I've been doing a course related study on it. March of Dimes gave a presentation on social media at the last National Neonatal nurses conference. That was one of the topics. They even gave suggestions on having an employer sanctioned FB page where families and nurses could "legally" leave pictures and messages.

The March of Dimes is a charitable organization, not a professional organization. I, personally, would never take direction on a question of professional ethics or behavior from a nonprofessional charitable organization, however well-meaning.

There was a thread here a while ago started by a home health RN who found herself in a situation in which she was providing home care but the family had contacted the previous NICU nurse, who was taking it upon herself to advise the parents and get involved in the home care, and it created a v. difficult situation. I agree with Sadala; professional boundaries are our friends; violating them (or even blurring them) can (and often does) lead to "badness."

Personally, I have enough "badness" in my life already, without going looking for any more. :)

OP, I'm curious -- as someone already asked, what "compelling arguments" have you heard in favor of violating established professional boundaries and ethics?

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I think you cross a professional boundary if you attempt to contact a patient after your care for them has ended. Even if you're well meaning, I'm sure even the patient would be slightly uncomfortable. And maybe compelling wasn't the right word- but mostly in the peds and onc arena I've heard many healthcare professionals who stay in touch with families for a long time. Even if a family welcomes or even wants continued support, when you blur the patient/nurse relationship and move into more of a "friend" role, it could get tricky I think.

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I think you cross a professional boundary if you attempt to contact a patient after your care for them has ended. Even if you're well meaning, I'm sure even the patient would be slightly uncomfortable. And maybe compelling wasn't the right word- but mostly in the peds and onc arena I've heard many healthcare professionals who stay in touch with families for a long time. Even if a family welcomes or even wants continued support, when you blur the patient/nurse relationship and move into more of a "friend" role, it could get tricky I think.

You can't ever go back and in my work we often have patients return to care and then it just wouldn't be the same.

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No. I've had the odd one approach me in the mall to say Hi. But the look of confusion on my face usually makes them tell me how I know them.

There are a few I wonder about, but no way am I going looking for them

Last time I saw a patient at the mall .. I said '' you look different with your clothes on". It honestly took me awhile to place them. This former patient was just wanting to express their gratitude and admiration. The time for that is while they are STILL your patient.

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No.. never okay. The patient- nurse relationship was ended. And for good reasons.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

OP what are YOUR views on this, and any "compelling" reason to follow up on a patient no longer in your professional care?

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In certain areas I can see how it is more common, but for most of the nursing roles out there.. no.

I can think of two . . . a rural setting and hospice. I live and work in both.

Many times I know my patients prior to them becoming my patients.

Two weeks ago a young woman came up to me at a grocery store and thanked me for being her nurse during delivery of her baby. I honestly did not remember her but didn't let on.

I completely understand and agree with not trying to maintain a friendship with someone you met when you were their nurse. But it is harder in a small town.

Also as hospice, we do go to funerals. Technically, we go as "hospice" and put it on our timecard but to tell the truth, I go as "hospice" but usually don't put it on my timecard.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Since I am a Peds nurse, as well as an ED nurse...

Most of my pts end up "following up" with me-my pts say "I had you before" or if they are special needs, most of the time I was their nurse when I worked in the community, either private duty or at a medical daycare I worked at; some have rare diseases and they know me from high school (one frequent flyer).

There's never a chance for me to follow up, and I'm OK with that. ;)

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I can think of two . . . a rural setting and hospice. I live and work in both.

Many times I know my patients prior to them becoming my patients.

Two weeks ago a young woman came up to me at a grocery store and thanked me for being her nurse during delivery of her baby. I honestly did not remember her but didn't let on.

I completely understand and agree with not trying to maintain a friendship with someone you met when you were their nurse. But it is harder in a small town.

Also as hospice, we do go to funerals. Technically, we go as "hospice" and put it on our timecard but to tell the truth, I go as "hospice" but usually don't put it on my timecard.

We often go to funerals when requested as well (home health) but still very much in a home health relationship role. Always for them, never for us and not as a friend but as professional support in their death and dying.

I think we all know when it's still based from the nurse patient role.

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If it feels like work then it's probably within professional boundaries.

And I like my job so that doesn't mean you have to loathe it.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I don't follow up, but I have received updates on particularly unusual patients, like a pt with a thalamic stroke and a bizarre presentation for whom I had to advocate heavily, the spouse updated our department head after we transferred the patient out out because the spouse wanted to say thanks. We've also had patients we coded walk back into the department to thank us, that is pretty special. And being a small community hospital, the patients will usually come back to see us again, and we find out how they're doing.

A while back I had a mom bring her son in to triage for a minor illness, and she was several months pregnant. When she saw me she gave me a hug (surprised me! Lol) and said I was her nurse when she had lady partsl bleeding very early in her pregnancy, and that I was so kind to her. I remembered her because it really was a lot of bleeding and she looked almost unstable when she arrived. Obviously the bleeding had resolved, and she was due in a few weeks. It was a nice encounter, but I prefer to leave those things to chance!

When I was an active paramedic, we were often primary care for the impoverished folks in our county. These were our friends and neighbors, which made some calls difficult. I actually went to a couple of funerals for people I had known for years courtesy of being part of the EMS system and living where I ran rescue.

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