South Australian nurse suspended for ‘inappropriate relationship’ with vulnerable patient

A South Australian nurse has been suspended for failing to manage a relationship with a vulnerable patient who began making sexual remarks.

A registered nurse has been reprimanded and suspended for “failing to appropriately manage” her relationship with a vulnerable patient who regularly made highly inappropriate sexual comments toward her.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia referred a complaint about the nurse – who worked for the quadriplegic man for 10 years – to the SA Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

In its decision to reprimand and suspend the nurse for two months, the tribunal found the nurse’s actions – which included blowing a kiss to the patient – constituted “professional misconduct”.

“The respondent in providing care to (the patient) allowed a situation to develop in which (the patient) was regularly making highly inappropriate sexual comments to the respondent,” the tribunal found.

The tribunal said expert evidence suggested the patient’s change in behaviour was likely due to cognitive changes “caused by a developing neurological condition”.

It found the patient had been making the inappropriate comments for about six or seven years but the “respondent failed to manage that situation in any way at all”.

A South Australian nurse has been reprimanded and suspended for failing to appropriately manage her relationship with a patient.

“Quite clearly, the relationship during this period had become an inappropriate relationship, and the relationship was perceived by (the patient) in a way that was completely unprofessional and inappropriate,” the tribunal found.

“It was the duty of the respondent as a registered nurse to recognise the significance of that change in behaviour … and to record the situation that had developed and to properly report the situation that had developed to her superiors so that it could be ensured (the patient) received proper care and treatment.”

In its decision the tribunal notes the nurse “exacerbated the situation by making inappropriate personal disclosures concerning herself” to the patient and his wife, including an incident in 2020 where she blew a kiss.

It found the nurse’s “failures” caused damage to the patient’s marriage and a “significant disruption to his care”.

The tribunal – which recently published the decision which was handed down last year – noted the nurse was remorseful and had taken steps to educate herself about professional boundaries, but was yet to gain insight into some areas of her actions.

“We consider that she requires further education and training in the areas of maintaining appropriate boundaries, in assessment of patients or clients, and in record-keeping and reporting of relevant issues,” the tribunal said.

“The respondent’s conduct during this period of time fell substantially below the standard of conduct to be expected from a person of her training and experience and therefore constitutes professional misconduct.”

The nurse’s registration was suspended for two months, and imposed conditions on her re-registration, including further education about maintaining professional boundaries. She was also ordered to pay costs of $5000.

Originally published as South Australian nurse suspended for ‘inappropriate relationship’ with vulnerable patient