What do you do if you are assigned a patient you know outside of work?

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I recently saw a name very similar to a resident I used to work at my nursing home job on the tele monitor. Made me wonder what is the policy on this, whether it be a patient from another facility, your neighbor, your second grade teacher, etc etc. Are you supposed to refuse to accept this patient and trade with another nurse?

Specializes in OB, Med/Surg, Ortho, ICU.

I'm with CompleteUnknown. I wouldn't be able to work if I was asked to be reassigned when I know someone. There are men I know would be extremely uncomfortable with me caring for them, and when that happens, I do request to be reassigned. I think my father would faint if I was his nurse. Anyway, because we all know one another, problems with care assignments are usually found early and taken care of.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg.

I had my middle school principle on my unit...the one that flunked me! I went in at the beginning of the shift and surprise...she/he remembered me! I laughed at the look on her/his face (kindly) and sat down with her/him and told her/him that I would take good care of them but if it was not comfortable that I would not feel badly if another nurse was requested. I also mentioned patient confidentiality...(a surprising number of pts don't think of the fact that we can't talk about them) and the person relaxed and smiled and said if I was ok with it so were they. No problems after that. I think just reassuring and giving them the option was enough.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I grew up in the town that I work in and I have cared for many people that I have known for years, including my mom's best friend. Admitting someone I have known for years is usually pretty easy and lots of people are glad to see a familiar face.My Mom is 84 and lots of my patients are her contemporaries.I also did home care for 8 years when I was a Personal Support Worker so lots of former clients end up on my patient load. I would draw the line at caring for a family member though.

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

You have to know your audience. There are people I know who would be comfortable with me taking care of them, and then there are those who would not. Its entirely dependent on the individual

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Specializes in ER.

Working in a VERY small town hospital- this has happened to me a lot- Even when I left for the big "CITY" hospital in the area- still happened, although not as often. Each time I have made it a point to go in and say hello. I usually sit down, and explain to them-" Since you were my classmate in HS, or a co-worker in XYZ, a secretary in my lawyer's office, or even my HS PRINCIPAL..(true story)- I need to talk to you. I understand that you are here as a patient, and that as a nurse in X facility, I've been assigned to take care of you. But I also recognize that because of our past relationship, you might feel a bit strange having me as your nurse-I TOTALLY understand if our past relationship makes you uncomfortable, and I have NO issues at all getting you a different nurse to care for you while you are here if it will make you more comfortable- this is a personal choice, and in no way will it hurt my feelings, or affect your care if you would prefer to be taken care of by another nurse. I'm going to step out now, and a co-worker will come in to see you in a bit- if you would be more comfortable having a different nurse, let them know, and it will be taken care of. I am a nurse, and I am a professional-If you are comfortable with me careing for you, I promise to treat you with the same respect I treat all of my other patients with- at no time will anyone else know we have had a relationship outside of work. Either way, I hope you feel better, and I want to see you get cared for in the best possible way." I have never had a patient that I knew from the outside turn me away....and it actually added to the nurse/patient bond. I even took care of a girl I went to HS with- she was a ***** back then, a popular girl,lol- and I remember her being mean to me in HS- It was actually a nice thing for both of us, for me to be able to take care of her sick newborn.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

Here's my opinions on the subject (but, by no means the definitive answer of the subject):

1. Family member, friend, "close neighbor" (i.e., more that just someone who lives close to me)...I would tell the charge the situation. Tell the charge I don't feel comfortable, I will be glad to take a pt from another nurse if they could take this pt.

2. Former pt that I had a LTC (or any other forum): yes, I would take the pt unless there was some BIG issue in the past (for example, the pt/family filed lawsuit at my then facility and it was somehow related to my care...even if it was found that my care was fine)

I knew a nurse who took care of here dtr's former 2nd grade teacher...she didn't verbalize any problem with this. I think it would also depend on the comfort of the pt.

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I was assigned to a patient who was a former co-worker at another job. I didn't have a problem with her, but with the family. They assumed that since I was friends with the patient, that I would give them information that they weren't supposed to have and let them do things they weren't supposed to do. They even harassed me in the halls and the cafeteria. I had to ask for a different patient assignment, and the PCC understood completely.

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Specializes in ER.

My 1st nursing job was my hometown community ER, small 4 bed ER I spent almost 3yrs there. During that time I took care of: my grandparents from a MVA (try to tell your granddad to stay on the backboard), my family physician (DKA), buddy from high school that got shot accidental in chest and died, the best friend of my girlfriend at the time that shot herself, my best friends little brother and most of his family, a lot of my family, and pretty much anybody that walked in the door either I knew them or they knew me (parents had a small hunting/fishing and convenience store in town). There are times it may happen in larger areas but I really don't see the need to switch off, after all your a professional.

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I live in a smaller town (about 90,000. I simply ask the person if they would be comfortable with me providing their care, or would they prefer someone they don't know. 100% of the time, the person has enthusiastically requested that I take care of them.

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

When this happened to me I asked the Charge and ANM if our facility had any policy regarding this and we did not. They said it was up to me. I asked that my charge RN explain the situation to the family as a neutral party and ask if they would be more comfortable with a different caregiver. Some patients/ family members are more comfortable with a familiar face, others are horified. My feeling is it's no different than being assigned to any other delicate situation (like a priest, or person under police custody); the pt/ families' wishes should be be respected and it is up to me as the caregiver to handle it with respect and professionalism as with any other case that is initially awkward.

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Unless I had a serious conflict I wouldn't trade patients. Why would you? Recently a friend of mine and my ex hubby (Well soon to be ex), she was the nurse that took care of his new girlfriend when she was having his baby. Now that was a conflct for her but she did it wothout issue.

NOW if his girlfriend came int the ER, I would switch because I hate her and would not be a good advocate for her care. I would be busy about the time she'd need pain meds and out of the room if she needed CPR....Just teasing but you get the meaning.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, SICU, MICU.
Unless I had a serious conflict I wouldn't trade patients. Why would you? Recently a friend of mine and my ex hubby (Well soon to be ex), she was the nurse that took care of his new girlfriend when she was having his baby. Now that was a conflct for her but she did it wothout issue.

NOW if his girlfriend came int the ER, I would switch because I hate her and would not be a good advocate for her care. I would be busy about the time she'd need pain meds and out of the room if she needed CPR....Just teasing but you get the meaning.

LOL. understand this with boyfriend's ex. Of course I'd try to care for her like anyone else, but it'd be hard, and I'd probably have some subconscious block about it. Props to your friend for being so unbiased!!

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