Professional boundaries violations: case studies from a regulatory perspective

This article provides case studies in professional boundaries violations from a state regulatory perspective. All cases discussed are actual cases that occurred in the state of Ohio, based on complaints investigated by the Ohio Board of Nursing. The studies set forth basic factual information related to the boundary violation, relevant law and administrative regulations, and disciplinary outcomes. One can conclude that boundaries violations that result in licensure board disciplinary sanctions typically involve gross or egregious conduct rather than subtle or transitional zone conduct. These cases tend to involve recurring patterns that may be categorized as involving 2 factors: (1) high patient vulnerability and (2) prolonged patient contact. Often, the 2 patterns coalesce. Administrators, directors of nursing, and supervisors in these patient populations and in the settings discussed should be particularly mindful of potential boundary violation behavioral indicators.