Is it inappropriate to talk to a patient outside of work and give them money?

[bluescoop, BSN, RN]

I'm an RN who works outpatient and I saw a homeless patient several times for his wound care. I saw him today on the street and he asked me for money so I gave him $17. We were just talking and he said we should hang out sometime. I told him I didn't want to cross professional boundaries and he assured me he "won't tell a soul" "homeless people are good at keeping secrets." I told him what building I live in and that he is welcome to ring me on the call box if he needs help. I feel terrible about this now and wondering if I should be fired or no longer allowed to practice nursing. I am wondering if he will ever use the call box to ask for more money. I would have offered to do his wound care, I just don't keep my own wound care supplies with me. 

[HiddenAngels]

Homeless or not, he is kind of a stranger.  I don't think you should have told a stranger where you live. 

To your point, I don't think you can get fired for that.

[offlabel]

Sorry for the blunt response and don't take it personally but you've put yourself in a very dangerous position. His interest in you is likely material and probably physical. You should have a very low threshold for involving the police.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Yikes,  this is not good.   YES, you def crossed professional boundaries, both by giving him money out of your pocket, and giving him your address!!  Invite him in and he will refuse to leave, now you are stuck going to court for an eviction, or at the bare minimum calling the police on a PATIENT!  Positive he will share your "secret" if you have to do any of those things!    I know patients can come off as innocent and wanting to be your friend, but as the other poster eluded to he doesn't want to be your friend because he likes your personality, he wants you for money and possibly other things.  Please watch your back and DO NOT LET HIM IN YOUR HOUSE, and def don't do wound care out of the hospital setting, as you won't have coverage for liability or physician orders.    Homeless people can be VERY manipulative and charming, and by asking you for money he was probably trying to gage how nieve you are....

 

Annie

[Emergent, RN]

This was a huge mistake.  It crossed professional boundaries big time. It's also unsafe. I agree with the above,  homeless people are manipulative.  They also don't have their acts together in a big way. Often this is because they have substance abuse problems, mental illness, or have been arrested so many times they can't get a job or housing. Often they have all three of these factors working together. And they live in a highly enabling society and culture.