We developed this practice scenario to help registrants understand their accountabilities when determining if a registrant-client relationship has been formed. Registrants 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.
Can I engage in a personal or sexual relationship with a client who is currently receiving care in the area where I work, if 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
Registrants 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 registrant-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 registrant-client relationship has been has been, or is intended to be, 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 registrant-client relationship.
A registrant -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 registrant has provided, or is intended to provide, a professional service for the client
- If the registrant has contributed to, or is intended to contribute to, a health record or file of the client
- If the client has consented to, or will be asked to consent to a professional service provided by the registrant
Other factors relevant to the circumstances of the individual and the registrant
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.
Registrants 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 registrant-client relationship has been formed;
- Seek guidance from their employer; and,
- Review the Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice for Registrants 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.
