We developed this practice scenario to help nurses understand their accountabilities when determining if a nurse-client relationship has been formed. Nurses must never engage in a personal relationship or any form or sexual behaviour with a current client.
If you have any questions about the practice scenario, please reach out to us at practice@nscn.ca.
Am I permitted to engage in a personal or sexual relationship with a client who is currently receiving care in the area where I work, as long as I have not provided care to them in the past and will refrain from providing care to them in the future?
Questions to reflect on:
- When is an individual considered a current client?
- What factors do I need to consider?
Current Client
Nurses must never engage in a personal relationship or any form of sexual behaviour with a current client. For more information on the difference between a therapeutic nurse-client relationship and a personal relationship visit page 2 of the NSCN Professional Boundaries and the Nurse-Client Relationship Guideline.
An individual is considered a current client when a nurse-client relationship has been formed and is ongoing. It is important to note that even though you may not have cared for a client, their presence in the care area increases the probability that you may have to provide care to them and thus establishing the nurse-client relationship.
A nurse-client relationship may exist when one factor or a combination of factors listed below are met. Consider the following factors to determine if a nurse-client relationship has been formed:
- If the nurse has provided a nursing service for the client
- If the nurse has contributed to a health record or file of the client
- If the client has consented to a nursing service provided by the nurse
- Other factors relevant to the circumstances of the individual and the nurse
Not Current Client
Generally, a client is considered not a current client if care was provided in an episodic setting, such as a visit to the emergency department for a fracture or for an assessment at a walk-in-clinic. However, the nature and frequency of the care provided and likelihood of the nurse providing future care in the episodic setting should be considered when determining if the individual is a current client.
Engaging in Any Sexual Behaviour with a Client
Engaging in any sexual behaviours with a current or vulnerable former client is sexual misconduct and will result in a finding of professional misconduct.
Nurses who are unsure if an individual is considered a former client should do the following before engaging in any sexual behaviour with the individual:
- reach out to an NSCN Practice Consultant to help determine if a nurse-client relationship has been formed;
- seek guidance from their employer; and,
- review the Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice for Nurses (2020) and consider strategies to ensure they meet it.
For further information on anything contained within this practice scenario, please contact an NSCN Practice Consultant at practice@nscn.ca.
