How Not To Date A Nurse

I was told the other day that I was "a hot little redhead and I might have to come to the ER more often to see you."

**crickets**

Ummmm..........

Please don't. 

I believe that the furrowed brow and look of incredible disgust on my face was an appropriate reaction - or maybe it was the fact that he had just thrown up all over my scrubs and the smell of alcohol drifting off his body put him at a probable .30 on the ETOH scale.  

Seriously people, don't hit on your ER nurse.  Unless you are The Rock and newly single, it just isn't going to go your way.  We know everything about you.  Everything that is important anyway, such as your history of herpes and your habit of frequently using a "few too many" of your monthly supply of oxycodone.  

My nursing career has surprisingly put me in the path of many romantic opportunities (what IS it about you men and the fascination with nurses?).  I've even been proposed to.  The reality is that it is completely unethical to date a patient.  I won't sit here and tell you I have never been tempted, but I can say I have never acted on that temptation.  I may have the wind knocked right out of me when I walk in a room and lay eyes on my patient and stammer like a school girl, but I won't ever hit on that patient.  I may enjoy the view and the interaction but that's it.  I've heard of some nurses who cross that line and it makes me very uncomfortable.  These people are vulnerable while they are under our care.  I feel like those nurses may be taking advantage of that situation.

Now, if you run into them at the grocery store a year later......well.......