A grateful patient who asks to stay in touch
NZ nursing OSCE practice station
Patient communication · 2 min to read · 8 min to perform
Gordon Fitch, aged 74, has been here for 12 days after a chest infection and goes home tomorrow.
Gordon FitchYou've been so good to me. I wanted to give you something. Can I have your number so we can go for a coffee?
Free · no sign-up · uses your one free station
Open the full station (charts, voice, result letter) →The task
You are the nurse on a medical ward. Gordon Fitch, aged 74, has been here for 12 days after a chest infection and goes home tomorrow. He lives alone. You have looked after him on many shifts. He has asked to speak to you privately at his bedside. A health care assistant is nearby. Listen to what he says and respond as the nurse. Consider your professional responsibilities, the way you communicate with him and what you will do after the conversation. Record the conversation in the progress note provided.
What this station tests
- Keep a clear professional boundary even when a patient is kind and lonely.
- Decline gifts and personal contact warmly and explain why without shaming the patient.
- Declare any gift offer openly and tell the nurse in charge, as policy requires.
- Loneliness is a health need: offer referral and community supports.
- Do not accept or give personal phone numbers or social media contact.
Sources for the clinical content
- Nursing Council of New Zealand: guidelines on professional boundaries
- Healthify: loneliness
- Age Concern New Zealand
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.