Nurse dating former patient?

Nurses Professionalism

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Unethical? What are your thoughts on this?! Thanks

Yes outpatient quick relationship. Thing is I said no. Told him it's crossing the line and just plain unprofessional. But he's very persistent. Went out his way to somehow get the nurse ext. and continues to call but not in a stalking way������

The fact that you are trying to re-frame this into something relatively okay is concerning.

Calling someone repeatedly at work to initiate a dating relationship with someone who said no is the very DEFINITION of stalking. Reading between the lines, it doesn't sound like you have been very firm with him, and the fact that you are asking if this would be appropriate reveals that you have considered it on some level.

DON'T do it.

Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

I think if this is an active patient then no but if this is a former patient then well follow your heart.

I think if this is an active patient then no but if this is a former patient then well follow your heart.

Did you miss the part about her saying "no" and that he somehow got the number for the nurse line and is now repeatedly calling her at work?

The fact that you are asking here tells me you might have some interest, but are concerned about professional boundaries.

You do say that his calling you is NOT in a stalking way.... As long as you carefully consider, and are sure that you would recognize inappropriate creepy behavior, then If you are interested and don't expect to have any future nurse-patient relationship, then I say go for it.

Who knows, It could one day make a cute story to tell the grandchildren

Who knows, It could one day make a cute story to tell the grandchildren

Or she could become a grisly headline. I'm not liking those odds.

Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

Maybe if you met the patient later in a different context it wouldn't be wrong. Suppose someone met a former patient at a social function of some type that they didn't know they had in common, like a sporting event or something like that and hit it off. I don't think there's a problem with that because the context had changed and there is no more patient-nurse relationship. I see no problem with that at all. Some nurses become patients and might be treated by a nurse and later meet this same nurse in a different setting and start to date or become friends. It's not black and white. But, his persistence despite your "no" is a worrying sign. Can't he take no for an answer? Anyone that can't accept no has a problem. I'd be more worried about that.

Or she could become a grisly headline. I'm not liking those odds.

Based on what? That he persists past an initial no? She said no and then came here to get an opinion, so she sounds like she might be open to something.

I don't think we know enough to determine that he's a stalker or serial killer...OP, how many times has he called? What kind of no did you give?

And yes, sadly I am aware of the current culture. But I think we're talking about a first date here, not a sexual advance. Is it really true that guys can no longer be persistent? (Or the other way around)... A persistent guy became my husband 30 years ago, in a different time and place. Back then it was charming. í ¾í´”

Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
I wouldn't even wait for more calls to speak with management. Let them know about the situation now...

It wouldn't hurt to document it and let your Security know. If he continues, call the police.

Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
The fact that you are asking here tells me you might have some interest, but are concerned about professional boundaries.

You do say that his calling you is NOT in a stalking way.... As long as you carefully consider, and are sure that you would recognize inappropriate creepy behavior, then If you are interested and don't expect to have any future nurse-patient relationship, then I say go for it.

Who knows, It could one day make a cute story to tell the grandchildren

I'll say it again: BOUNDARIES.

Specializes in PICU.
Based on what? That he persists past an initial no? She said no and then came here to get an opinion, so she sounds like she might be open to something.

I don't think we know enough to determine that he's a stalker or serial killer...OP, how many times has he called? What kind of no did you give?

And yes, sadly I am aware of the current culture. But I think we're talking about a first date here, not a sexual advance. Is it really true that guys can no longer be persistent? (Or the other way around)... A persistent guy became my husband 30 years ago, in a different time and place. Back then it was charming. ������

OP, it is fine that you said no. His, persistant calling is stalker behavior. Would you call a friend of yours repeatedly, if they said they couldn't come to a party, or something else? Would you call a business if they said they couldn't do something for you? The answer is no, you would not.

The fact that you came here asking for advice to me means you are concerned about his calling you depsite the fact that you rescinded his offer. You need to tell someone about the encounter and your reaction, further more, you need to tell someone that he keeps calling the nurse line. You have a right not to be harrassed at work by someone with whom you declined to date.

Based on what? That he persists past an initial no? She said no and then came here to get an opinion, so she sounds like she might be open to something.

I don't think we know enough to determine that he's a stalker or serial killer...OP, how many times has he called? What kind of no did you give?

And yes, sadly I am aware of the current culture. But I think we're talking about a first date here, not a sexual advance. Is it really true that guys can no longer be persistent? (Or the other way around)... A persistent guy became my husband 30 years ago, in a different time and place. Back then it was charming. ������

And we don't know enough to say that he isn't dangerous. I'm not willing to take that risk and tell her to go for it. She said no and he's already circumvented the phone and is now repeatedly calling her at work. That screams of boundary issues. I married an abuser and my Spidey sense is tingling but you do you.

Specializes in Pedi.
Yes outpatient quick relationship. Thing is I said no. Told him it's crossing the line and just plain unprofessional. But he's very persistent. Went out his way to somehow get the nurse ext. and continues to call but not in a stalking way������

Regardless of whether or not he was a past patient, this is alarming behavior. Don't ignore the red flags.

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