Professional Boundaries In Nursing

The basic definition of a boundary is the line that separates one thing from the other. Boundaries in our daily lives play a significant role in how we behave in terms of our surroundings. Typically, we define our boundaries based on our roles in society and to other people. When we begin to cross the boundaries that define our roles, we cause consequences that may do harm to us or those who surround us. This is true in our role as nurses. As nurses we play a significant role in our patient’s diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. This role defines the boundaries between nurse-client relationships.
According to Black (2014), professional boundaries are the areas between the power of a nurse and the vulnerability of their patient. The nurse’s power comes from the extent of confidential information that the nurse knows about the patient. Patient confidentiality is also a major boundary of the nurse-client relationship. These boundaries must be maintained in the nurse-client relationship in order to allow for beneficence, autonomy, and nonmalefience of the
Non-sexual boundary issues consist of giving your client special treatment over your other clients such as spending more time on them due to their attractiveness, being too friendly, special and unnecessary appointments that are outside your normal practicing hours, and dressing inappropriately (Aravind, 2012). Nurses should also be hesitant to accept gifts or give gifts to patients (Aravind, 2012). The nurse-client relationship should always be based on the client’s needs. Nurses should also be cautious of sexual boundary issues. This is when the nurse and client enter an intimate relationship that is harmful to the patient’s therapy (Aravind, 2012). Avoiding these violations in the nurse-client relationship is a key part of demonstrating professionalism as a