Nurse-patient boundaries: when relationships become over-friendly

Off-duty texts, social media messages or meeting-up with patients could indicate that boundaries have been blurred, and the consequences could be severe

• Nurses must develop close working relationships with patients to build trust, but the NMC code states that objectivity must be maintained
• The consequences of breaching boundaries can be severe, with nurses who cultivate inappropriate relationships with patients risking misconduct proceedings
• How to spot red flags and protect patients, what the Code says about professional boundaries, and how to avoid inadvertently blurring lines

Positive and therapeutic nurse-patient relationships are crucial to building the trust and respect that enables nurses to provide the best possible care.

The Nursing and