Navigating Workplace Romance in Nursing: Do’s and Don'ts

A common topic that we get asked about is ‘romance in the workplace’, because it does happen and it’s something na mahirap gamutin. But since Evergreen does not dispel dating advice nor provide insight into very personal topics, we thought it best to tackle it like a gentle reminder of sorts. And while technically there is nothing wrong with having strong feelings for someone in the workplace, it is very tricky so please don’t mistake this as an endorsement, it’s not. 🙅🏻‍♂️🙅🏻‍♀️ Having a romantic relationship in the workplace is like tiptoeing on a minefield: any move anywhere makes it unsafe.

Nursing is a field that demands professionalism and dedication, and it's no surprise that many nurses find love within their workplace. This is especially true when you are constantly with people who endure the same challenging things you are going through. However, engaging in a romantic relationship with a coworker can pose significant challenges, particularly in the nursing industry, where the stakes are high and ethical standards are paramount.

To help navigate this delicate situation, we've compiled a short list of do’s and don'ts for workplace romance in nursing.

Do’s:

1. Establish clear boundaries: Before embarking on a romantic relationship with a coworker, it's essential to establish clear boundaries and expectations—di lang clear, dapat crystal clear! This includes discussing what you will and will not share with your coworkers, setting boundaries around physical affection in the workplace, and creating a plan for how to handle conflicts or issues that may arise. Other synonyms for boundary: barrier, border, perimeter, edge.

2. Prioritize patient care: When you're at work, patient care should always be your top priority and not the apple of your eye🍎👁️. It's essential to maintain a professional demeanor and ensure that your personal relationship does not interfere with your ability to provide high-quality care. This includes avoiding public displays of affection (PDA’s), not discussing personal matters while on the clock, and not allowing personal feelings to cloud your professional judgment.

3. Be discreet: It's natural to want to share your personal life with your colleagues, but it's essential to be discreet when engaging in a workplace romance. There are eyes and ears everywhere. You should keep your relationship private and not discuss it with other coworkers. This can help avoid potential conflicts of interest, and maintain a professional work environment.

Don'ts:

1. Do not date your boss or subordinate: Dating a coworker who is your boss or subordinate can create significant conflicts of interest and lead to accusations of favoritism or discrimination. In nursing, where clear lines of authority and decision-making are essential, it's best to avoid these situations altogether. Don’t do it. Don’t even think about it. ☠️

2. Do not let your relationship interfere with work: While it's natural to want to spend time with your significant other, it's crucial not to let your relationship interfere with your work. This includes avoiding excessive breaks or absences from work, not letting personal feelings affect your professional behavior, and avoiding conflicts or arguments while on the clock. Remember, you’re there to work not to twerk! 😤

3. Do not engage in gossip or drama: Workplace romances can often lead to gossip or drama, which can be damaging to your reputation and your professional relationships. It's essential to avoid engaging in workplace tsismis or drama and to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. And if by chance that you share this secret at work and he/she/they/them says, “I promise you, I won’t tell anyone..”, you can be sure that that person will tell everyone.

In summary, workplace romance in nursing is a risky and delicate situation to navigate.

However, by establishing clear boundaries, prioritizing patient care, and being discreet, nurses can maintain a professional work environment while still enjoying a personal relationship with a coworker. Remember, nursing is a field that demands professionalism, dedication, and ethical standards, and engaging in a workplace romance should never compromise those values.

Also keep in mind that emotional reactions are 3,000 times faster than rational thought, which translates to a persuasiveness ratio of emotion to reason of 24:1. Think about that for a second. This means that for every 1 time you are rational, you are also 24 times emotional. Therefore, the odds of someone being romantic and rational at the same time are highly unlikely. And chances are, you’re probably gonna make a miscalculation somewhere and baka ma-damage ang nursing career mo.

Every rose 🌹 has its thorns. So, nurses should continue to uphold their commitment to their profession and work diligently, but it's crucial to recognize the potential risks of getting too close with colleagues. And perhaps, it's worth noting that the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.