What do you say to patients who give you inappropriate compliments?

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Specializes in Detox.

I just got a job on a detox unit. I have been orienting on the unit this week. I did have a patient who was giving me inappropriate compliments. (Nothing crazy or horridly obscene....just enough to make me feel a bit uncomfortable.)

i just wanted to know how you respond to such things. For example, this patient told me I was cute twice and was asking if I was new and when I started. What do you say to draw an adequate boundary without being mean? I want to be very blunt about it so it does not keep occurring. Thank you.

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You've got the right idea--be professional but blunt, even if it makes it a little awkward for a bit.

"That is not an appropriate thing for you to say/ask/tell me."

"I'm not going to discuss my personal life."

"I am your nurse. If you have concerns, I want you to tell me, but I'm here in a professional capacity only. It is my expectation that you will respect that."

It may sound kinda corny, but trust me--if you look someone in the eye and tell them any of those items above, it will get the attention of most rational* human beings.

*I'm aware that in medicine, we see our fair share of irrational human beings, too. All you can do in the case of a patient who isn't A&Ox3 or aware of what they're saying is protect yourself--keep your distance if they're grabby, take a coworker if you're concerned to be alone with them, and try to redirect them and not take what they say personally.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

"Cute" is on the inappropriate side, and the prior poster summed up how to handle it pretty well.

However, it's NOT inappropriate for them to ask you if you are new and/or when you started. For these questions, just answer honestly. "I started last month." or "This is my second week."

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Good answers from the previous posters. I just wanted to point out that you'll get those sorts of questions everywhere, not just in the mental health floors. I'm wondering if the moderators could move this thread to the general nursing discussion or somewhere it will get more notice.

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Specializes in Detox.

Thanks for the responses. The only reason I brought up that the patient was asking me about when I started..how long I have been working there..etc is because the other nurses told me if they know I'm new than they are really gonna try to pull all the stunts they can with me. I am new to the job but have worked in detox before. At my last job I was very pregnant and we basically stayed behind the nurses station constantly, which I think curbed any similar comments. I was also on the phone quite a bit so patient interaction was quite minimal. At this job there is a lot more interaction, which I do like. I am aware that these kinds of comments come up no matter what area you work in, but I do feel like it happens slightly more frequently in the mental health setting.

To the first poster, thanks for the specific examples. I am definitely going to utilize those. I'm sure they will be effective in delivering the message :-)

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To the first poster, thanks for the specific examples. I am definitely going to utilize those. I'm sure they will be effective in delivering the message :-)

No problem! It took me a while to find my feet when it comes to standing up for myself, but it's become second nature now. It'll get easier with time for you to both set boundaries and carry on as usual after reinforcing those boundaries if breached.

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