clinical restrictians regarding patient relationships

[LLovelylocks]

Hello!

I know my title is a bit strange but I need solme help! I'm in my first clinical at a private LTC care facility. The resident I have been assigned to doesn't have much family and is in DIRE need of a new nightgown (trust me, I get her ready in the morning). Would it be too much for me to take a nightgown and some cookies in to her for a Christmas present? I would go in on my own time. I have gotten a little attached to her :redpinkhe. I'm a sucker for some things I guess. She has no diet restrictions (not diabetic surprisingly) so the cookies wouldn't be a health concern and other resident's family member bring in goodies all the time. I know I'm not family per se but would like to add some cheer to her day. She's been a little down lately. Would I be crossing the line? Also, my boyfriend would like to come with me. BUT I don't know if that's an invasion of her privacy. He doesn't know anything about her medical history, just knows I want to do something for her and would like to back me. He's been great about the whole nursing school running my life thing (working full time and school part time so I basically have no life). I'm not sure if this is something that would be considered ok in the student nursing clinical aspect. Any suggestions?? Help!

[LLovelylocks]

Just to update this and let you know what happened! Didn't take the bf (never thought it was a good idea in the first place either and really didn't want to but since he was hovering as I was typing my first question, figured I would mention it). I spoke with my instructor and she suggested the secret santa as well. So I snuck in when I knew she would be at mass and left her the nightgown. I wasn't doing it to make me feel better, as I already am a pretty happy camper. She needed one and her sister who takes hers home to wash had an arguement and refused to bring her anything or come in and see her. That's why she only had the one. And now she has 2, and her sister still has her other 2. The cookies, I made lots and took them in for everyone making sure the CNAs knew which ones to offer my resident. I made some from the diabetic recipes and used Splenda and labelled them. I can't guarantee they were any good because I'm no suzy-homemaker, but it was worth a shot. And then I went home. My instructors had no issues with me taking the item to her especially since I made it a secret santa although my mom (LPN for 30 years) told me to take them in and hand it to her because it would mean more. But thanks to all who responded and I wish the place I'm working had an adopt-a-resident program, but they don't have one as of yet. I spoke with the human resources director about it though. She's the only one we have direct contact with. Maybe next year.

[caliotter3]

Glad to hear that you got the blessings of your instructor. Nice that you were able to do this.

[PghRN30]

Nice to know you got to do it. Even though your mom says you should do it in person, and yes it mean mean more to her, you do have to remeber that you are still only a student nurse and have to act within what your school allows, and most schools do have a strict no gifts policy to enforse a strict professional relationship. I think that becomes relaxed a bit once you are a nurse, but schools have to set strict boundries to teach that professional boundries, and how strict your school is about it could risk you being kicked out of the program. Even though she may not know it's from you, I'm sure she is thrilled to have it, and to know someone is cares about her. And she might even be able to figure out who it was.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Good for you and good plan. Thank you for doing this anonymous act of kindness. You made a difference in this resident's life :)

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Nice to know you got to do it. Even though your mom says you should do it in person, and yes it mean mean more to her, you do have to remeber that you are still only a student nurse and have to act within what your school allows, and most schools do have a strict no gifts policy to enforse a strict professional relationship. I think that becomes relaxed a bit once you are a nurse, but schools have to set strict boundries to teach that professional boundries, and how strict your school is about it could risk you being kicked out of the program. Even though she may not know it's from you, I'm sure she is thrilled to have it, and to know someone is cares about her. And she might even be able to figure out who it was.

I agree. I work on the idea that I feel I have to run it past someone it might not be the best plan and it might need tweaked a little. You did the right thing.