The Forbiden Relm

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I had a patient that had a shady past, thus led him to my unit. He was very good looking and though he is gone from the unit I found myself thinking about him more than I should. I was very fond of him and probably didn't do all the little things I should have done reguarding his care because of the thoughts in my head. But, then again in some areas I did more than I should have. How does one get over it and keep seperate the nurse/patient relationship...???:confused:

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Since it's totally inappropriate for you to HAVE a relationship with this person, I think that alone should bump him out of your head.

Choose someone else. Fast.

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Specializes in LTC/SNF, Psychiatric, Pharmaceutical.
I had a patient that had a shady past, thus led him to my unit. He was very good looking and though he is gone from the unit I found myself thinking about him more than I should. I was very fond of him and probably didn't do all the little things I should have done reguarding his care because of the thoughts in my head. But, then again in some areas I did more than I should have. How does one get over it and keep seperate the nurse/patient relationship...???:confused:

For the sake of your license, your patients, and your own sanity, it is important to maintain clear professional and personal boundaries. You aren't the first, nor will you be the last, to have such feelings toward a patient. Acting on these feelings will expose you to all kinds of ethical and legal issues.

Best advice: "Once a patient, always a patient."

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You said he had a shaky past. Interesting way to start a post.

Run, don't just walk away from this.

There are the ethical boundaries. There are other issues. Could he be a sociopath? I don't know and neither do you.

I am always frightened of those good looking ones with shaky pasts. It is really easy to become prey to such men. We tend to be caregivers and it might be deep inside you to think you could help him.

Step away from this patient. He is bad news for you in so many ways.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You're only human, but as the others have said run, don't walk away from this sitaution.

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You're only human, but as the others have said run, don't walk away from this sitaution.

Also you might want to consider his not so sterling past and he may be used to "charming" his way through things.

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Specializes in ICU.

Sorry, posted without reading the OP close enough.

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Just realize that a fantasy could never measure up in reality.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Bumping for another poster!

Blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

Give yourself permission to connect with your patients in some way while you are their nurse. Then give yourself the ability to let go when you get off work. Those two gifts will help you avoid burnout.

It's nice to have a reason to smile at your patients, to find some little small talk, or whatnot to chat over while you do your tasks. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with that. Over time you learn what people's tricks are, when they are attempting to manipulate you into concessions. In my unit it's close the curtains, where's the phone, will you call my boyfriend, can I go smoke, etc. (That's from the overdoses on psych hold, who have no right to privacy and god do I wish they did sometimes.) It's enjoyable to feel like maybe you said something and they listen, or perhaps you learn from the patient. It's a nurse-patient relationship. Just remember, enjoy while you're there, let go when you go home. It's a learned skill and requires practice.

Now I can let go of people all day long but the ones who die, I don't let go of. So I guess I'll avoid hospice nursing for a while!

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