Conflict of Interest & Private Practice RNs

I recently found out that an RN I employ has been handing out business cards to patients in the unit I manage, promoting their own business. Is this allowed?

• Promoting one’s own business while in their place of employment, especially when they are positioned to gain financially, can create potential conflict of interest from both the patient perspective and RN colleagues (who may also know or have a similar business).
• Some RNs have independent practices, such as a private foot care or aesthetics business. If an RN you hire works elsewhere or is self-employed, you may want to clearly define your expectations in a policy. For example, some employers require staff to declare a conflict of interest and/or sign a formal agreement not to solicit clients for their personal business or private services.
• RNs must follow the Self-Employed Practice Guideline, complete the Confirming Nursing Practice (CNP) process if relevant, register their business with the CRNS Independent Practice Registry, and ensure they are aware of any requirements from their employer.
• While in certain contexts and settings, it could seem appropriate to promote or offer these private services, RNs have professional expectations to consider whenever promoting or advertising their services.

What are the professional expectations of practice for RNs in this context? 

Registered Nurses:

• Identify the influence of personal values, beliefs and positional power on clients and the health care team and act to reduce bias and influences (1).
• Are honest, fair and strive to build a trustworthy, therapeutic nurse-client relationship (2).
• Place their client interests and professional responsibilities ahead of their personal gain (3).
• Identify, prevent and do not practice in situations that cause a conflict of interest. Conflict of interest is when a nurse’s personal interests improperly influence their professional judgment or conflict with their duty to act in the clients’ best interest. This includes financial and non-financial benefit, whether direct or indirect (4).
• Identify moral or ethical situations and proactively address conflict, dilemmas and/or distress of clients in their care (5).
• Are accountable and accept responsibility for their own actions and decisions (6).
• Uphold and maintain professional boundaries, privacy, and confidentiality with clients (7).

CRNS Resources 

Code of Conduct (2026)

Registered Nurse Practice Standards (2026)

Self-Employed Practice Guideline (2026)

Confirming Nursing Practice (CNP) Webpage

Independent Practice Registry Public Directory