nurse - patient boundaries (jealousy)?

Question

My wife is a nurse and has formed a friendship with a young M early 20's patient of hers. He's not in great health and I'm sure she cares for him in a maternal way and just wishes he gets better. My problem is where do you draw the line? They communicate outside of work by txt and cell. I feel that they should not be that comfy being buddies when she's off duty as this cuts into our family time. I can honestly say I think she's obsessed with this patient of hers and it's confusing me . Isn't there a sort of code of conduct between nurses and patients that shouldn't be crossed? I know this isn't romantic but it still bugs me. any thoughts because I'm confused? btw, he's married and my greatest argument is his wife and family should serve as his greatest support once he leaves the clinic each week.

I want to thank everyone who has replied to my question. Your feedback has helped me cope with my feelings as well as address the issue.

As far as providing emotional support in a time of need for the patient, I can appreciate that. Am I way off base in thinking that the patient may form more than platonic feelings eventually for the nurse if she's providing that compassion and mental support that he may not be getting at home? I admit that it has crossed my mind.

Answer 1

Oh God,

She is wrong ! I do volunteer work and they tell us not to get involved with the patients and not to even bring stuff for them like sweets, smokes, etc.

Believe, the patient will always tell you that their family does not understand, don't care, and so on. It is our job (volunteer) and nurses to take care of the patient when we are present and they mistake that as love, family, and caring. He must learn to depend on his family, church, co-workers, and friends through this difficult situation.

I believe your wife's time with him stops when she leaves the job.

Best of luck.

P.S. Of course it is hard for her to see this because she is already involved. She is blinded at this time to her actions. Be patient, I hope she realizes it needs to stop. I have seen this many times in my times of volunteering and most have lead to a sexual relationship at the hospital and outside after the patient has been released but they never have lasted outside of the walls which is what brought them together.

Answer 2

I am a CNA so professionally I know what I am talking about. Yes there is a line, but at the same time she is seeing this person dwindle in health on a regular basis. (Everythime he is in the clinic.) It sounds like she is a compassionate person. I'm sure it will remain platonic on her part, whether he has different ideas, only he knows. When you are that sick, attention is one of the best therapies around. And it is easy for the caregiver or nurse to get sucked in by help full emotion because of compassion in your soul. Some people it never effects. Keep an eye on the situation to make sure the messages back and forth don't get to personal and that she does stay professional even though it has got to this point.

Find polite and not accusing ways to remind your wife of her oath for caring, but not getting to involved with a patient or client outside of the clinic. If she is a nurse, then she took a class on it.

Answer 3

I don't know about all the rules and regulations when it comes to her job, and what is or isn't permissable. But I do know that what she is doing, is very unprofessional and crossing the line.

She is a nurse, and she should absolutely be there for him (in a medical/supportive type of way) when he is at the clinic.. but there is no reason at all for them to have any type of relationship outside of that.

I'm curious as to why she would give a patient her personal cell phone number at all?? That's just not normal nurse/patient behavior, and as I said before.. it is very unprofessional of her.

In a sense, I can understand how she would care about her patients, and want them to get better. But that would only explain her actions, if she were to do that with ALL her patients.. not just this one guy. That just screams suspicious.

You are right, he has his own family to be ther for his support and everything. Your wife has no business contacting him once he leaves the clinic.

I think you need to sit your wife down, and tell her how you're feeling.. and tell her that what she is doing is very innapropriate, and needs to stop immediately.

Answer 4

No. easily from a pragmatic attitude of the fact that team are too busy and shifting beds is very heavy on the back and additionally it ought to no longer perfect bearing directly to the room itself, maybe transforming into a hearth risk in the time of the prayer time so i think of the wellbeing & protection govt might desire to be introduced into this and positioned a provide as much because it. It sufferers are that unwell they can't bypass to a definite room designed for this purpose interior the wellbeing middle then i'm helpful their faith will accommodate this in a various way. What if an airline pilot & attendants are on a protracted flight what occurs at prayer time, do they alter direction with the airplane or what. No of direction no longer, the religion must be extra accommodating than this. i think that it must be some persons intrepretation of the regulation that's slightly awry and not packed with common sense. What do Muslims right here experience in this subject. truthfully there must be a extra common sense attitude? Any techniques.

Answer 5

I've been a nurse for years, and she has certainly overstepped her boundaries. She could lose her job as well as her license for doing this. We do have codes of ethics and she is not following them. It usually is romantic , maybe not physical, but emotional. I'm sorry she is acting this way.
It is people like her that in the past has given nursing a bad name. She needs to let go and stop it now, or get help. Shame on her.A nurse is Not supposed to contact a patient
outside of work.

Answer 6

Hello there. I can see from what you have explained it would make you feel uncomfortable. I too would be frusterated and confused. I think the point you make about HIS family supposed to be his main support is valid. Have you tried to speak with your wife about this? Sometimes if you reverse the situation and put her in your shoes it helps (when you are explaining how you feel). As to a code of conduct i am not sure. I felt your frusteration and wanted to convey my thoughts to you in the hope the support helps? Perhaps if she knew what your heart was feeling she would be able to put your mind and jealously at rest. Best of luck. *smile*

Answer 7

She is way out of line here and you need to deal with it.

I have been married for a long time and I am still married due to the fact that we both understand that any thing that takes away from our relationship is in our opinion cheating.

You need to get this under control real quick it sounds to me like she is having an emotional affair and it wont be long before it is a physical one.

Answer 8

The boundary limits are the duty timings of the nurse and it should not last beyond that.
Is it possible for the nurse to develop same kind of affection with each and every patienr?

Answer 9

well there are in home nurse and there are house call type nurses if shes not any of those then yes shes out of bounds talk to her make her or help her see the light in your feelings be open to her maybe you can come to a good standings.

Answer 10

may be she is trying to test your jealousy , but any way you should be upset , I think that the boundaries between a nurse and a patient should be put in the hospital .