Professional boundaries in nursing
Mr. Saifadin Khaleel Rahman
BSN; ICU Nurse
2024
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Professional Medical Training
by Saifadin Khalil
Outline
1 Introduction 2 Definition 3 Importance of PB
The importance of professional A clear explanation of what The benefits of maintaining
boundaries in nursing, and professional boundaries are, professional boundaries, such
why they are essential for including the distinction as protecting patients,
maintaining trust and ethical between therapeutic and non- upholding ethical standards,
practice. therapeutic relationships. and fostering a safe and
respectful environment.
4 Continuum of PB 5 Warning signs for crossing boundaries
Exploring the different levels of boundary crossing Identifying red flags that indicate a potential
and violation, from minor infractions to serious boundary violation, and how to address them
misconduct. proactively.
Outline
Interested Reducing the risk Guideline Decision making tool
questions with
answers Strategies and Providing practical Offering a framework or
Addressing common techniques for guidelines and resources tool to assist nurses in
questions and concerns minimizing the risk of for nurses to navigate making informed
about professional boundary crossing and complex situations and decisions about
boundaries, providing violation, promoting maintain appropriate boundary-related
clear and concise ethical and responsible boundaries. situations.
answers. practice.
INTRODUCTION
Year after year, nursing tops national polls of the most widely respected
and trusted professions
In order to maintain that trust and practice in a manner consistent
with professional standards, nurses should be knowledgeable
regarding professional boundaries and work to establish and
maintain those boundaries.
INTRODUCTION
1 Nurses must be aware 2 Nurses must be aware
of their professional that in all their
responsibility to relationships with
maintain appropriate health consumers they
personal, sexual and have greater power
financial boundaries in because of their
relationships with authority and influence
current and former as a health
health consumers and professional, their
their families. specialized knowledge,
access to privileged
This includes understanding
information about the
the power dynamics inherent health consumer.
in the nurse-patient
relationship and recognizing This power differential
the potential for abuse or requires nurses to be
exploitation. particularly mindful of their
actions and interactions with
patients.
INTRODUCTION
1 The nurse has the 2 The health
responsibility of consumer is in an
knowing what unfamiliar situation
constitutes and may be
appropriate unaware of the
professional practice boundaries ofa
and to maintain his professional
or her professional relationship.
It is the nurse's
and personal
responsibility to clearly
boundaries.
communicate boundaries
Nurses must be aware of and ensure that the
the ethical guidelines and patient understands the
legal standards that nature of their
govern their profession. relationship.
DEFINITIONS
Professional boundaries in nursing are defined as limits which
protect the space between the professional’s power and the
client’s vulnerability; that is they are the borders that mark the
edges between a professional, therapeutic relationship and a non‐
professional or personal relationship between a nurse and a person
in their care.
When a nurse crosses a boundary, they are generally behaving in
an unprofessional manner and misusing the power in the
relationship.
DEFINITIONS
1 A therapeutic relationship 2 Professional boundaries
is one that allows nurses are the spaces between
to apply their professional the nurse’s power and
knowledge, skills, abilities the patient’s vulnerability.
and experiences towards
These boundaries help to ensure
meeting the health needs
that the nurse-patient
of the patient.
relationship remains
This relationship is focused on professional and ethical.
the patient's well-being and
recovery.
3 Boundary crossings are brief excursions across
professional lines of behavior that may be inadvertent,
thoughtless or even purposeful, while attempting to meet
a special therapeutic need of the patient.
These crossings may be unintentional or intentional, but they should be
temporary and carefully considered.
DEFINITIONS
1 Boundary violations can 2 A nurse’s use of social
result when there is media is another way that
confusion between the Nurses can unintentionally
needs of the nurse and blur the lines between their
those of the patient. professional and personal
lives.
This can occur when a nurse's
personal needs or desires begin to It is important for nurses to be
influence their professional mindful of their online presence
judgment or actions. and avoid sharing information that
could compromise patient
confidentiality or create a conflict
of interest.
3 Professional sexual misconduct is an extreme form of
boundary violation and includes any behavior that is
seductive, sexually demeaning, harassing or reasonably
interpreted as sexual by the patient.
This type of misconduct is a serious breach of trust and can have devastating
consequences for both the nurse and the patient.
