Patient wants to connect on LinkedIn

Published

Hi, I am a nursing student and also work at a hospital. Recently I took care for a patient and on her last day there she told me that is a nurse, that she was very impressed with my care and would like to endorse me and refer me for anything that could help in my future career as a nurse. She told me to find her on Facebook and keep in touch. I said sorry, but I don't Facebook patients; if you want to stay in touch, how about LinkedIn? She said yes, find me on LinkedIn. On my LinkedIn profile I mentioned who my employer is and I am connected with a couple of coworkers. If I add this lady/former patient, could I get in trouble for HIPAA? I think I shouldn't, since the patient is the one who told me to get in touch, but do you think my work place will do anything about that? What would you do? I definitely could use this lady's recommendations and suggestions when I need to find a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Don't do it. Linked-in is for colleagues (and only those whom you respect and want to be associated with) and professional acquaintances for networking purposes. Former patients, friends, relatives are not what you want in that circle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

LinkedIn is not Facebook, it is not for socializing, it is supposed to be a professional networking site.

Be VERY careful what you do with LinkedIn, many jobs even allow you to apply through LinkedIn and many employers check it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree with these guys- follow your gut. Don't do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

IMO, I would not connect with a patient on ANY social media. Too much potential for blurred lines to develop.

As you write it, you would not commit a HIPAA violation by accepting the LinkedIn request, unless you start divulging information about her care under you. Also, she can post every single gory detail she wants about her care, and it wouldn't be a HIPAA violation either because she is the one making her info public by her own choice.

However, your employer may frown on you befriending patients on social media sites.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I definitely could use this lady's recommendations and suggestions when I need to find a job.
It's perfectly OK to keep her as an offline contact for professional purposes. I would steer clear of potential internet-related problems. You just never, ever know.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Am I the only one who thinks that students seem to over-share with the clients they care for in clinicals? That said, I wouldn't do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

LinkedIn is for for professional and some student relationships. It's not for friending. I see nothing in the OP post indicating a professional relationship, or potential for one. If this person was, for example, a nurse recruiter who said to keep in touch, that's one thing, but generic nurse-patient relationship....No.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Am I the only one who thinks that students seem to over-share with the clients they care for in clinicals? That said, I wouldn't do it!

Overshare how?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
LinkedIn is for for professional and some student relationships. It's not for friending. I see nothing in the OP post indicating a professional relationship, or potential for one. If this person was, for example, a nurse recruiter who said to keep in touch, that's one thing, but generic nurse-patient relationship....No.

Did you read the OP? She said that the patient was a nurse who was impressed by the student's care and wanted to keep her as a professional contact.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I would NEVER tell a patient that I was even on LinkedIn. Or Facebook. Or Twitter, Snapchat, or any like site.

Overshare how?
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Overshare how?
The world if full of crazy people...
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion