Nurses banned from 'flirting, off-colour jokes'

Nurses have been banned from flirting with patients under new ethics guidelines for hospitals.

The rules also crack down on sexual innuendo, “off-colour” jokes and offensive language, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

Nurses who cross the line will be disciplined, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which created the rules.

The rules — which came into effect from July 1 and October 18 in WA — state it is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure they maintain a “professional boundary” even if a patient initiates or consents to sexual conduct.

Nurses must also keep an eye out for any patients developing a crush, as failing to recognise attraction of a sexual nature is also considered sexual misconduct or assault.

The guidelines come after the number of complaints made about NSW nurses with “professional boundary issues” almost tripled in the year to June 2009, compared with the previous year.

Figures from the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board reveal there were 17 complaints made in 2009, while there were a total 47 complaints over the past five years.