Unethical behavior

RebeccaJeanRN · Sep 22, 2006

People have sleazy affairs, whether they be dad's of preemies, or nurses in NICU...such is life. Dispicable on both parts- the mom confides in a nurse who is, unbeknownst to her, fooling around with her husband, and the father of preemies is distracted with fooling around rather than caring about the huge responsibility that he just created and supporting that poor mother...my goodness, how sad. I wouldn't get involved, however, because I would not consider it my business. But as an aside, I would think that a hospital might have a policy against it for the following reason: it could fuel a potential lawsuit by the mother of the preemies, whether grounded or not (charges of substandard care by this nurse due to her being distracted with fraternizing with mother's husband). But then again, how to regulate? Seems that it really can't be an actual hospital policy against it...anybody know?

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2006

But the nurse should only be subject to disciplinary action by the employer and the BON if the affair occured while she was on shift, and therefore put patients at risk due to negligence. I'm disgusted at the behavior and I feel for the nurses on your unit, because attention is taken away from the care that is given to such fragile patients and the focus is on the nurse who had the affair with the father. The action of this nurse, by what she did and how she didn't even keep her mouth shut at work spits in the face of all of us who fight for recognition as professionals and not handmaidens or sex objects.

Blee

CCHP-RN · Sep 22, 2006

In Texas, this is considered Unprofessional Conduct and can be reported to the Board of Nursing.

Texas Administrative Code

TITLE 22 EXAMINING BOARDS

PART 11 BOARD OF NURSE EXAMINERS

CHAPTER 217 LICENSURE, PEER ASSISTANCE AND PRACTICE

RULE 217.12 Unprofessional Conduct

Violating professional boundaries of the nurse/client relationship including but not limited to physical, sexual, emotional or financial exploitation of the client or the client's significant other(s);

gitterbug · Sep 22, 2006

Agree this is terrible but no matter how hard we try, we cannot control other people's ethics or morality. This nurse is reportable to the BON of the state, but, from experience with working with a nurse who did the same thing, a generaly slapping on the wrist is all that the nurse gets.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

In Texas, this is considered Unprofessional Conduct and can be reported to the Board of Nursing.
Texas Administrative Code
TITLE 22 EXAMINING BOARDS
PART 11 BOARD OF NURSE EXAMINERS
CHAPTER 217 LICENSURE, PEER ASSISTANCE AND PRACTICE
RULE 217.12 Unprofessional Conduct
Violating professional boundaries of the nurse/client relationship including but not limited to physical, sexual, emotional or financial exploitation of the client or the client's significant other(s);

Two consenting adults agreeing to be with one another may not constitute "exploitation".

leslie :-D · Sep 23, 2006

clearly the nurse's behavior was unethical and did cross the line, especially in light of the critical nature involved.

very sick infants, highly vulnerable and fragile parents.

even if not intentional, i'm sure it could be perceived as exploitation, given the clear disadvantage of the bereaved parent.

unless her actions directly affected pt care, her license should remain intact.

but there does remain this matter of professional misconduct, and should be handled accordingly.

leslie

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

I agree Leslie, the big question is: did it affect the care of the patients? Her ability to be a nurse? Yes, it did affect the life of the poor mother for sure and may have indirectly hurt the patients.

leslie :-D · Sep 23, 2006

I agree Leslie, the big question is: did it affect the care of the patients? Her ability to be a nurse? Yes, it did affect the life of the poor mother for sure and may have indirectly hurt the patients.

i'm sure there were indirect ramifications, whether the 'other woman' was a nurse or not.

yet i think 'exploitation' somehow can play a role here, where the professional nurse had an intimate relationship with one who was profoundly vulnerable.

whether she took advantage of the man's weakness, or succumbed to it-both were gross violations, esp since it was a critical care setting.

when the pt is very sick, or dying, it makes the act even more unethical.

i'm not talking about a nurse's competencies but the other expectations of a professional nurse, as defined in our npa.

Noryn · Sep 23, 2006

I agree with Leslie. The main issue will be when this affair started. If it has been going on for years then it is not going to be a problem although the nurse should not take care of the children. If it occurred after the nurse had established a patient relationship with the family then I would bet the board of nursing will have issues with this.

Once the nursing relationship has been established, then the nurse would be exploiting this relationship. Of course when you have a sick kid or wife you are going to be more vulnerable and as a nurse (even though most of us dont think we have any) we are in a position of power to the patient and family.

It doesnt matter if we agree with it or not, nurses are held by high standards not only by the public but also by the board of nursing.

And most guys are pigs, I am a guy myself :monkeydance:. I can easily see this guy telling his wife and the state board, "but I was confused and didnt know what I was doing because of the grief." Which would probably be BS but nurses should not be sleeping with their patients/family members of patients especially during a time of crisis.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

As a 26 year veteran, I am experiencing something new in my career...a co-worker who had (and continues to have ) a sexual affair with the father (married to the mother) of a set of twins in my NICU. This relationship was ongoing throughout the babies hospital course and even though my NM now knows about it, she says "the couple was having marraige difficulties anyway" and "what do you want me to do, punish her forever !" Our very large, hotsy totsy hospital says there is nothing they can do for this poor Mother who is now raising 2 premie boys. My NM thought the rest of her staff was "OK" with the affair because she has not heard anyone talking about it !! Well, HER staff is NOT OK with it ! WE are repulsed, furious,embarassed and want this RN dismissed ! The NM says the Board of Nursing is involved but I do not believe her. Any superior suggestions ?????:

This sounds highly unprofessional to me, and Ive been in this field one way or another since 1968. It also sounds very sad and tragic for all involved, and for all affected by it.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

I don't know what's sleazier, the father, or the nurse.

As it is though, unless they were actually "doing it" in the NICU, there's really no cause for termination.

Although, i can't imagine that nurse sticking around for long, sounds like the work environment is out for blood. And perhaps as a result, one small screw up that she might do, would be excuse enough to get rid of her (seen it happen before, technically wrong as it might be).

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

i'm sure there were indirect ramifications, whether the 'other woman' was a nurse or not.
yet i think 'exploitation' somehow can play a role here, where the professional nurse had an intimate relationship with one who was profoundly vulnerable.
whether she took advantage of the man's weakness, or succumbed to it-both were gross violations, esp since it was a critical care setting.
when the pt is very sick, or dying, it makes the act even more unethical.
i'm not talking about a nurse's competencies but the other expectations of a professional nurse, as defined in our npa.

Could be true.

However, it takes two to tango. The unanswered question is what the scumbag man was thinking. Was he vulnerable and taken advantage of by an evil seductress nurse? Or was he a man with his brains in his member.