Nurse is marrying former patient's husband

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I was just wondering what you all thought of this? Everyone at my hospital is in a little bit of disbelief.

A nurse at my hospital (different unit than I am in) was taking care of a patient with breast cancer fairly regularly. The patient had been in and out of the hospital pretty frequently, and towards the end, was beginning to stay at the hospital often. Anyway, the husband was there regularly at the bedside. The woman eventually died and now (several months later) the nurse is marrying the now deceased wife's husband. As far as I know there was nothing going on while the wife was hospitalized. What do you all think of this?? Does it cross the line??

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The way I see it, it is not hurting anyone. Hopefully it is not a rebound relationship for the man. But they are adults, able to make their own choices. Wish them success in the marriage!

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

That is a hard one. They are both consenting adults. On a moral ethical level I'm not sure its right. I can imagine the family of the soon to be husband probably has mixed emotions.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

They're adults and I think everyone should mind their own business. Gossip like that is going to make the whole environment uncomfortable.

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As long as relationship wasn't going on while wife was a patient, then its no ones buisness. The amount of time and care that nurse put into taking care of his wife probably allowed them a lot of time together to get to know each other. THe husband probably already feels comfortable with her given all that has happened... I see nothing wrong. I wish them the best of luck!

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Specializes in behavioral health.

I believe that some men are just very dependent on a woman. He may have loved his previous wife very much. However, he is probably a lost soul on his own. My late uncle was like that. He was very dependent on his first wife. She was a saint! She died from cancer in 1994. And, three months later he was seeing a widow. Within nine months they were married. The family was very upset at first, as we felt that it was disrepsecting my aunt. However, we all love his second wife. He passed away in 2005. My mother is close to his second wife, as she was to his first. Now, when I look back I think how nice that two lonely people found each other and had several years of happiness. The both of them had good first marriages and were lucky to have good second marriages in later life. Life is for the living! If I go before my husband, I hope he finds happiness with another woman. He has my blessing! Although, it better be someone deserving of him because he is a great guy!

Like another poster mentioned, as long as they weren't fooling around while his wife was alive, then kudos to them.

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What line? I don't wanna be rude...but someone else's private life is not your business.

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the thought of your husband marrying the nurse that was providing you care until your death and then having your husband and this nurse marry in several months after your death?

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I can see how that might happen. We become very close with patients and families who are admitted frequently. How many of us have grieved along with the family when a beloved patient passed away? I hope that their marriage is a happy and healthy one.

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They're adults and I think everyone should mind their own business. Gossip like that is going to make the whole environment uncomfortable.

Agreed. I'd be wishing them a long and happy marriage.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.
the thought of your husband marrying the nurse that was providing you care until your death and then having your husband and this nurse marry in several months after your death?

Well..in this perspective, if I am dead..not sure I am caring to much about it. I hope that if I die, my husband will find someone he loves and can be happy with. If that is the nurse that helped me in my worst times, and hopefully helped him too then I guess it was meant to be...now if he were to cheat(while I was alive) on me with same nurse...I would come back and haunt him...and not in a nice way..in a tip a fridge over on you way...just like if my family disregards my DNR....

Otherwise..I really feel on a professional level it is really none of your or anyone elses business

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Specializes in ER.

It's no one's business but theirs.

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