What one person experiences as acceptable behavior may be considered by others to be a boundary violation. Nurses cannot presume to know a client's boundaries. Nurses may decide to cross the established limits of the nurse-client relationship for a therapeutic purpose. These crossings are brief and within the bounds of the law and sound professional judgment. Professional boundary violations are any actions by a nurse that use the relationship with the client to meet a personal need of the nurse at the expense of the client.
Therapeutic relationships are different from social relationships such as friendship or dating.
Boundary violations are never acceptable. Abuse is the misuse of power or a betrayal of trust, respect or intimacy between the nurse and the client that the nurse knows may cause physical or emotional harm to the client. Neglect occurs when nurses fail to meet the basic needs of clients who are unable to meet these needs. Professional boundaries are a complex issue. Competent and caring nurses can make mistakes.