Professional boundaries in nursing are limits in the therapeutic relationship that the provider is responsible for establishing and maintaining. Nurses must understand what professional boundaries are and identify poor ones. They must also take steps to create healthy boundaries from the very beginning of the relationship.
1. Understand what professional boundaries are.
In a professional relationship, you can be friendly with your client, but not your client's friend.
As a nurse you are responsible for modeling healthy boundaries for your client. For example, when you inform the client from the first session that your relationship will not go beyond the therapy or case work assistance you provide, the client will be less likely to expect or attempt to have a nonprofessional relationship with you.
You should be clear on your limits as a provider. Nurse/ client boundaries are set to keep you focused on the work you are doing with the client. Without boundaries, you may overstep your duties of providing counseling and support to offering money or personal advice to your client.
2. Identify poor boundaries.
You and your client call each other friends and interact outside of the facility where you work.
Valuable gifts are exchanged between you and the client.
You reveal personal information that is not relevant to your client's case.
You find yourself discussing the client and his or her case during social interactions with your family and friends.
You are having discussions with the client about other social workers or staff members at the facility.
You find yourself offering your client assistance with transportation or directly helping him or her with moving or babysitting, etc.
3. Know the consequences of poor boundaries.
a. Without professional relationship boundaries you may not provide appropriate services to your client. If you are acting as the client's friend, and not his or her provider, you may not challenge the client to deal with presenting problems or terminate services when it is appropriate.
b. Talking to your client about other staff members could lead to "splitting." Splitting occurs when a client says negative things to different members of a staff that eventually pits them against each other.
c. Failure to set professional boundaries can cause you to burn out from caring for your client beyond what is required of a professional relationship. You can have too much compassion for the client that will make it difficult for you to provide the objectivity your client needs.
d. If you do not maintain professional boundaries, you may find yourself acting in an unethical manner, such as becoming sexually involved with the client.
e. You and your client may be emotionally traumatized by the relationship.
4. Create strong professional boundaries.
a. Explain your role as provider and the limits of your