Patient wants to connect on LinkedIn

Nurses HIPAA

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.

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

To add: I don't intend to.

I just don't feel the need to volunteer such information...how about an old fashioned note addressed to the OP? That way the note serves as a endorsement without affecting the boundaries of the nurse/pt relationship?

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

You don't necessarily need to tell them. All it takes is some effort and a good search--or a good guess--and most people can be uncovered. Even those with "airtight" security settings may find they're not as invisible as they think they are.

That being said, I agree with you: I'm not going to go around volunteering to patients the fact that I'm on social media either.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

When I was in nursing school, our badges revealed our first names and our photograph. That's it. It would take one hell of a sleuth to track one of us down without a little more information being provided by us.

You don't necessarily need to tell them. All it takes is some effort and a good search--or a good guess--and most people can be uncovered. Even those with "airtight" security settings may find they're not as invisible as they think they are.

That being said, I agree with you: I'm not going to go around volunteering to patients the fact that I'm on social media either.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

"i would love to have your endorsement, you can sent a letter that speaks about the care you received

to abc school of nursing and request that i receive a copy"

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
"i would love to have your endorsement, you can sent a letter that speaks about the care you received

to abc school of nursing and request that i receive a copy"

That's perfect! :yes:

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

No no no no.

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Specializes in nursing education.

I don't consider LinkedIn social media. It's like an online resume, for professional purposes only. I only accept contacts that are in the healthcare business (with very few exceptions: people I know well who could endorse my ethics, professionalism, etc.). Since I give my business card to patients routinely, I would be quite easy to find on LinkedIn, but only two patients have tried to connect there.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
When I was in nursing school, our badges revealed our first names and our photograph. That's it. It would take one hell of a sleuth to track one of us down without a little more information being provided by us.

A first name, a school name and photograph is a good starting point though.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

It is not forbidden to develop a relationship with a patient after that patient is no longer in your care.

It is wise, however, to be cautious in that pursuit.

I would recommend that the student NOT engage the former patient on LinkedIn without knowing a great deal MORE about the person.

SLOW DOWN before you hurt yourself.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Nope, school name was on the back. We were anal about not letting that show. IF a patient asked, we of course had to tell them, but in 4 years of nursing school, only had it happen once. I do agree though, that it does not take much information to track someone down in this day and age, don't make it any easier for someone!

A first name, a school name and photograph is a good starting point though.
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I think you make a great point. Students may overshare. Their nursing faculty mentors need to teach and model appropriate therapeutic communication between nurses and patients. Connecting with patients anywhere, not only social media, usually violates some policies of the hospitals.

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Specializes in Pediatric.

Absolutely 100 times no.

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