Lauren.B Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I am a paediatric nurse at a hospital, and I work in the intensive care unit. About a year and a half ago a child came into our hospital, who was critically ill, and almost died. His parents, David and his ex-wife were in the hospital day and night. They seemed to have a pretty toxic relationship, arguments became a common event. He opened up to me a lot and the nature of the job of course is intensive. After many months of treatment, his recovered and was eventually discharged. David sent me a huge bouquet of flowers and wrote a card saying "Someone once said 'Nurses are angels in comfortable shoes' This does not even begin to explain my gratitude to you, there is no way I can repay you. ' You have saved my life, my child, my hope, my heart. I will forever be in your debt. Faithfully yours, David. " He left his number on the card also. I find him very attractive and he is such a sweet and genuine person, I really feel we could be something special. I understand that there are a lot of issues here, I just wanted to get an impartial opinion. I am torn between my head and heart.
GoreSP Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 If he wanted to simply thank you, he wouldn't have left his number. call him - he probably wants you to.
beach Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 Since the child is a minor - and the parent is throne in charge - what does your current law state about this? Is there a time frame against "personal involvement" - I believe in my state the statute is 2 years from the time treatment ends. You must know your law. It's part of what you learn in licensing, no? Either way, is be cautious - the fact that he doesn't get along with his exW is a red flag.
d0nnivain Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I agree with beach. Check with your state licensing board or at least your union rep (if you have one) before you do anything. If there are no legal impediments, call him if you like but be cautious. the phone # may not mean what you hope it means, that's he's up for romance but you will never know until you call.
Author Lauren.B Posted December 19, 2013 Author Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) My state has no time limit specifically but the stuff that I read states that relationships with patients should be discouraged. I talked to a colleague, who is also a very close friend about my situation and she advised me to ignore him, that it wasn't worth risking the career I have worked so hard to get for some guy. I want to call him but I don't think it is wise. Edited December 20, 2013 by Lauren.B 2
happywithlife Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 As a fellow nurse, I would also advise you against persuing anything. It definitley breaches the patient-nurse relationship. Sorry.
beach Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 My state has no time limit specifically but the stuff that I read states that relationships with patients should be discouraged. I talked to a colleague, who is also a very close friend about my situation and she advised me to ignore him, that it wasn't worth risking the career I have worked so hard to get for some guy. I want to call him but I don't think it is wise. Read up on it VERY carefully! Where I am it is definitely not allowed and the dr would lose their license!
Author Lauren.B Posted December 20, 2013 Author Posted December 20, 2013 As a fellow nurse, I would also advise you against persuing anything. It definitley breaches the patient-nurse relationship. Sorry. Is it a breach though? I never cared for David, just his son. I do however understand that this is murky waters...
melodymatters Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 Wow, I had no idea there were rules in place for dating a RELATIVE of a patient. Really ? Is there anyway you can do a little "research" on him and find a way to run into him somewhere ? It seems shame if you both are interested to not even have a chance to get to know each other better.
InnocentMan Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 Since the child is a minor - and the parent is throne in charge - what does your current law state about this? Is there a time frame against "personal involvement" - I believe in my state the statute is 2 years from the time treatment ends. You must know your law. It's part of what you learn in licensing, no? Either way, is be cautious - the fact that he doesn't get along with his exW is a red flag. It really isn't.
truth_seeker Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 He left his number on the card for a reason - he wants you to call him.
runningfar Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 With what he said that would seem inappropriate. He's thankful to you... That's just not a dynamic I am okay with.. It would seem like taking advantage. I would absolutely not do it. 1
FitChick Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 I've heard of cases of rich men marrying their nurses once they recovered. Either there was no law or the nurse figured it was worth losing her job for something better, like a comfortable retirement!
beach Posted December 20, 2013 Posted December 20, 2013 If the minor child is under your care - is the patient obligation provided by you through the parents? So would the breach of ethics include the parents - who are responsible for the child? It's useful to understand your law of ethics.
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