Some areas, however, provide a fertile breeding ground for boundary violations because of extended or repetitive contact, minimal supervision, and maximum control by the nurse. Some of these specialties are rehabilitation, dialysis, home care, and anesthesia. Red flags in therapeutic relationships include spending excessive amounts of time with a patient beyond that which is expected, demonstrating possessiveness of the patient, inappropriate self-disclosure by the nurse, and exchanging gifts outside of the therapeutic realm. Overt warnings include either party dressing differently, as if to impress someone, flirting, and acting secretive or defensive toward others in terms of the relationship. The majority of nurses aren't setting out to do harm.
Nurses are human beings with normal sexual emotions and desires, as are patients.
They need to be aware of their feelings when working with patients and should bow out of a relationship if feelings of attraction arise. The feelings should not be treated as taboo, but as danger signs. Whereas it is never appropriate to discuss these feelings with the patient, sharing them with a trusted colleague may aid in understanding them. If a nurse suspects a colleague is on the verge of a boundary violation, she or he must take action. If it is somebody who you are close to, try to raise her or his awareness of the situation and the perceptions of others regarding the relationship.