My patient is now an employee in the office I treat her at

bananas1 · Feb 22, 2019

Eeek nope I wouldn't like this either. Because... discussions about her health may start happening outside her appointment times (in the tea rooms, casual discussions etc) and then discussions about employment could happen during her appointment times. And also she'll start knowing things about you that you may share with employers but definitely not patients. Hmm Nope. It just blurs the lines too much for my comfort.

To be honest I am actually shocked SHE would want to be employed in the same place as you!! I'd find it quite awkward. It's interesting because I was a patient in our children's ward back in 2010 (I was 16), and I now work in the NICU that is right next to it, so basically I see the nurses that treated me back in the day on a regular basis, even working some shifts in paediatrics. And they absolutely know who I am and you know we've had a laugh about it and they're happy that I am now working as a nurse... but still.. I was in there for a mental health condition (anorexia) and it's like.. yeah this is a bit weird and embarrassing! But it's not like they're seeing me on an ongoing basis... I dunno..!

Hopefully your supervisor can help you out here... definitely not something i'd be keen on.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 3, 2019

Have you had a conversation with your patient/new colleague about your discomfort with the situation? Perhaps you two can agree on some ground rules that will make this less uncomfortable going forward.

kp2016 · Jul 1, 2019

I have personally had this experience. I was a patient of a particular NP when I changed jobs and started working in the same facility as this NP.

I was very pleased with how the NP handled the matter. When being walked around by my new manager she introduced me to NP. NP said great to have you onboard RN, please call me First Name. There was no indication we had ever met before. Later in the day, alone in a break room she quietly said “if you would be more comfortable seeing someone else for your care in future I would be happy to personally (privately) refer you to someone else. If you would like me to continue to give you care I’m fine with that, just speak to me privately and I will ensure your appointments remain private”. I later found out she provided care to several of my fellow nurses- because they personally told me, the NP blocked appointments for us when we needed them and never put our names on the schedule the entire office could see.

You could ask your supervising physician if the unit has a written policy on this matter, if they do obviously follow it. If you are really uncomfortable treating a co worker I would suggest discussing this with the patient / co worker privately, it’s possible they are as uncomfortable as you and would welcome a referral to another provider.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Jul 14, 2019

Let's not make a bigger deal out of this than what it is. This is very common for people that work in rural areas because of limited job opportunities. At my office, most of the ladies see one of the providers in our office and are not charged for any visits unless it is lab work or a procedure associated with a raw cost. We don't think anything of it.

Do we sometimes get the lunchtime medical question? Yup...we sure do. We also answer the question. I rely very heavily on our nurses, medical assistants, clerical workers, and other staff. Their health is important to me. Their questions have never bothered me as they are minimal.

T-Bird78 · Jul 25, 2019

I work in a physician’s office and every single staff member has asked the doctor to look at x or y or z at some point or another. It saves us an office visit/time off work! It’s not as awkward as you think it’ll be. If you’re concerned, ask if she’d be okay seeing another provider.

harvestmoon, RN · Oct 5, 2019

I know this is an old thread but even in a large city, this has been very normal in the outpatient clinics I have worked (at least 5 of them). Most everyone working in the clinic sees either a PCP or lab rat or xray tech or NP or CNM or MD or DO or PA working there. It makes getting healthcare super easy and available - no need to take time off work for appointments.

Megarline, CNA · Nov 25, 2019

On 2/22/2019 at 8:53 AM, NYNPLisa said:
I have been treating a patient for 2 years now as an NP. I just found out my my office manager that see will be employeed in the office and her role requires we work closely together. She plans on still seeing me. I am not essentially treating an employee and know every little detail of their medical issues/meds etc. I am not comfortable treating her if she will be a co-worker. Help. I don’t know who to go to. I guess I can go to my supervising physician and ask her opinion.
Does this not not sound like it could go bad so many ways?

I was an employee in the hospital, and I had no idea I knew somebody who worked there. One day, my surgeon tapped my shoulder and said, "Hi." I saw him regularly at the cafeteria taking a break. I've never asked or discussed my treatment with him at work. When I saw him at his private practice, he and I did not discuss about our workplace or coworkers.

I was 4 years in his care.

These days, I learned not to give my trust cheaply. I've been dinged. Didn't do it to people. People took advantage of my innocence that I trusted everyone until proven naughty. So, I personally suggest that don't answer her questions related to her treatment. Let her know that you don't feel comfortable discussing it at work. Don't initiate anything that he or she is your patient. Let her say or tell everyone but NEVER discussed. Cover your own rare. Perhaps, you should discharge her if you can.

wanderlustnurse88, RN · Dec 26, 2019

I live in a small town with about 8 family physicians. They also see the inpatients over at the small local hospital. Since there isn't any other options for family doctors in the town, unless you drive 45 mins away, most of the nurses have a doctor that they work with. I did. Everyone on both sides were professional about it and didn't mix our personal health and work.