I’m an RN working on a mental health unit. At home, I keep in touch with family and friends through Facebook. Recently, a client sent me a “friend” request. Is it okay to accept their friend request?

No, nurses should not communicate with clients on personal social-networking websites. This poses a risk and can interfere with the therapeutic relationship that is focused on the client’s health care needs and grounded in professionalism. Engaging with clients on personal platforms—such as sending messages, accepting friend requests or interacting on social media—can shift the relationship from therapeutic to personal, which is not appropriate in nursing practice. Nurses are responsible for setting and maintaining these professional boundaries and for helping clients understand them when their requests are beyond the limits of that relationship.

For more information, refer to the Professional Boundaries and Nurse-Client Relationships practice standard.

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