Relationship with patient?

[Nurse2bklingon]

Hi. Im a student nurse. I just finished my rotation in a psych hospital. A psych patient i interviewed, though i did not treat or counsel, approached me on my last day. She asked if we could see each other outside of the facility.

I told her that its not appropriate at this time, to which she gave me her number and facebook and told me to call her if i want.

We hit it off at the facility and i can say their was a mutual attraction.

Im wondering if i contacted her after she is discharged would put me in some sort of trouble.

Thanks

[elkpark]

You are supposed to wait 1 year before a relationship with a former patient.

Most of us in psych consider the ethical standard to be "never." Not one year, not two years. It's never appropriate.

[NurseCard, ADN]

no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Don't do it. Don't ever do it. Not now, not ever.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Don't do it. Don't ever do it. Not now, not ever.

Could you clarify a bit? I'm not sure where you stand on this...

[Al Kalosis]

"Hi, it's me, Nurseklingon, your favorite handsome student. Still wanna hook up? What was that clicking sound? Is this being recorded? Well sure, I know what extortion means, what's that got to do with anything?"

Ah, forbidden love.

[NurseCard, ADN]

Could you clarify a bit? I'm not sure where you stand on this...

You funny. Did I not put enough "no's" in my post?

Here's another. NO!

You're welcome!

[chriswilliams]

You may have some problem if you contact her. So never do it.

[SouthpawRN]

All ethical dilemmas aside, it's a massive HIPAA violation. The person only became known to you because of your professional duties in healthcare. Therefore all contact info is privileged. For example, I took care of a patient in the ER. in the time i was caring for him he told me he was a financial planner and gave me his card. I would NEVER contact him even if I wanted to use his services for the same reason I posted.

2nd, as another person mentioned. These patients can be extremely manipulative. Your best option would be to see if you can work in a different area if that patient is still there.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

Nooooooooooooooo. Do not do it. Mental health patients are very vulnerable, even if they are well enough to leave the hospital.

Plus... depending on the patients diagnosis you could find yourself arrested or charged with a harrassment situation.

Some patients, regardless of their diagnosis, may have a manipulative personality. Not just patients with a mental health diagnosis, but in general, and may be trying to "befriend" you only to turn it around to make you look like someone taking advantage of a situation.

"Hitting it off" in a nurse (student nurse/ patient relationship, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations. It could be misinterpreted as the caregiver taking advantage of a situation.

Throw away the number and information.

[dbabz]

Just out of curiosity, what if you later ran into this person "on the outside" and the attraction persisted? Would they still be off-limits?

[Castiela]

Just out of curiosity, what if you later ran into this person "on the outside" and the attraction persisted? Would they still be off-limits?

Generally most BON state at least a year or two should pass before pursuing a relationship. A psych admission throws another complicating factor in.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

This is, quite possibly, the worst idea I have ever heard. No, you should not date a former psych patient of yours.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

All ethical dilemmas aside, it's a massive HIPAA violation. The person only became known to you because of your professional duties in healthcare. Therefore all contact info is privileged. For example, I took care of a patient in the ER. in the time i was caring for him he told me he was a financial planner and gave me his card. I would NEVER contact him even if I wanted to use his services for the same reason I posted.

2nd, as another person mentioned. These patients can be extremely manipulative. Your best option would be to see if you can work in a different area if that patient is still there.

A friend of mine was an ER nurse who met a very nice guy who worked in construction when he lacerated his hand. He asked her out after work - she said no. He persisted over the course of three months - she relented - They dated, married and 20 years, 5 children and 3 grandchildren later they are still happily married. Still I wouldn't do it.

Hppy