title: Professional boundaries  when working with adolescents.
abstract: This article aims to explore the impact of breaking professional boundaries in nursing with a particular focus on the area of adolescent oncology nursing. It gives an overview of adolescent cancer and service provision followed by a brief discussion of some of the challenges in adolescence coupled with an outline of the concept of professional boundaries. A case study approach is used to demonstrate what happens when the boundaries are broken and this is followed by some discussion in relation to 'ways of helping'. These suggestions are broken down into specific activities, which may be beneficial to nurses and others working in this field. This discussion is supported by relevant literature from other professional groups. The article seeks to offer useful advice to practitioners who supervise recently qualified staff and to those who find themselves in this difficult situation.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Willsher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy