The Holistic Nursing Assistant 15 something inappropriate, such as telling a resident about the details of your date last night. Acts or behaviors that meet your needs, but not the needs of those in your care, violate boundaries. Boundary violations are unethical (not in line with accepted rules of conduct), are harmful, and in some cases, are considered criminal behavior. Following are examples of crossing or violating a boundary: • You think a lot about a resident when you are not at work. • You choose sides with a resident against his or her family or other staff members. • You trade assignments with other staff members so you can provide care for a specific resident. • You share inappropriate personal information. • You flirt or make sexual comments. • You share secrets. • You receive personal gifts after the resident has left the healthcare facility. • You act in a verbally or physically abusive way. It is always the nursing assistant’s responsibility to maintain both personal and professional boundaries. To do this, use the following guidelines: • Act and communicate professionally at all times. • Do not visit or spend extra time with a resident who is not part of your work assignment. • Do not use offensive language. • Do not make sexual comments or jokes. • Use touch appropriately. • Do not accept gifts, loans, money, or other valuables. • Do not give gifts, loans, or money. • Do not share personal or financial information. Nursing assistants are expected to act in the best interest of those they care for and to always respect the dignity of others. This means that a nursing assistant should never seek personal gain at anyone’s expense. The best way to be sure that your care is within professional boundaries is to be aware of and knowledgeable about appropriate boundaries, to have integrity, and to work as a professional. Personal Boundaries Personal boundaries allow you to protect and take care of yourself. Some personal boundaries, such as not allowing personal abuse or violence, are rigid and absolute. Other personal boundaries, such as allowing someone else to use your cell phone, are more flexible and often need to be worked out between the people in a relationship. Setting personal boundaries lets others know what is acceptable and what the consequences may be if boundaries are crossed. Professional Boundaries Professional boundaries are specific to delivering care and are part of a nursing assistant’s legal scope of practice. Professional boundaries help you determine the difference between helping behaviors from behaviors that are not helpful. Behaviors that are not helpful, such as focusing on yourself rather than on a resident, cross or violate professional boundaries. When boundaries are crossed or violated, an unhealthy relationship can develop. Crossing and Violating Boundaries There is a difference between crossing a boundary and violating a boundary, although both actions are inappropriate. Brief, unhelpful acts or behaviors cross boundaries. An example of crossing a boundary would be doing something thoughtless or saying Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com Figure 1.10 As a nursing assistant, you will want to establish relationships with both the resident and his or her family. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.