Another nurse bites the dust due to facebook

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I don't know the woman in question, yet news reports acknowledge that facebook has caused another job termination casualty in the nursing community. I know there are numerous posts regarding this topic, yet I figure sharing this may help someone think twice when placing job/career related postings on facebook no matter how private you think your posts are!Follow the link to see why. What would you do?

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Am I the only one who works at a facility that has a policy regarding social networking sites? About a year ago, the hospital came out with it and while I don't remember the specifics of the policy, it does mention termination if staff are found to have posted any kind of information regarding patients on line.

It was likened to having a discussion in the cafeteria where we can be overheard where someone who overhears us can determine the identity of a patient. You never know who knows who.......

Specializes in Community Health.

I have a hard time garnering sympathy for this woman. First of all, the statements she made regarding the care of both patients (cop and the alleged cop-killer) just seem like an attempt to draw attention to herself and exploit a tragedy for her own personal gain. I don't see it as "venting", I see it as attention seeking. She apparently made not one but apparently 3 seperate postings about this incident-to what end? "Venting" doesn't cut it for me as an explanation-she could have vented with her co-workers, friends, and family in private. Instead she chose to publicly broadcast the fact that she was involved in this tragedy and express her personal feelings about the patient she cared for in a very unprofessional manner. It seems like she got some kind of "rush" from being involved in a high-profile news story and wanted people to know about it.

And she DID violate HIPAA because she used identifying information in her posting. Here's a quote from the article about the shooting:

"Cpl. Edwards was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The defendant was also taken to the hospital and is currently being treated."

Her post implied that she was involved in the treatment of both the police officer and the alleged shooter. She referred to the alleged shooter as a "cop killer". It doesn't take a genius to figure out exactly who she was talking about, since the story and the names of the two patients involved were on the public record. Furthermore, depending on the timing of the postings it's possible that she made them when the alleged shooter was still being treated at the hospital where she worked, so she put his safety in jeopardy. Her statements will also make prosecuting this man more difficult.

Bottom line, she was careless, unprofessional, and dumb. The hospital was right to fire her.

Specializes in Med Surg.

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I need advice. about a month ago I messaged a former employee of my work on fb stating..."how is your new job?! I'm itching to get the hell out," referencing an ongoing discussion that nurse and I had regarding CA nursing job market and my financial strain. The D.O.N at my work saw the post and took it to mean I was itching to get the hell out of my job. She then took the mis-conceived information and used my name and the post as an example to explain that she can see what is on fb to my nursing peers, CNA staff, business personnel, and anyone else who would listen. She de-famed my character according to one of the nurses listening to her rant. I came in to work early to confront her and explain myself. She laughed when she acknowledged using my name and told me that she would cry and she was me. She also posted "be careful what you wish for" on the original fb thread. I now work in a threatening environment where my nursing peers and CNA staff believe I hate my job etc etc. I spoke with our administrator about the whole thing and she didn't have much to say. Does anybody have any words of encouragement, advice, etc on the situation other than don't ever post anything that even might be misinterpreted on fb about work?? I cried all day, all night, and am licking the salt my face this morning :(.

Specializes in babysitting.

what she said was unethical. i never understood why older people like to hang around Facebook and Myspace anyway, that is a teenager hang about.

Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

I'm old school. I don't do any of that tweetering, myspacing, or facebooking. Heck, I only turn my cell phone on when I want to call somebody. Then I turn it right back off. Most of the time though it just lives on the kitchen counter, or in the console of the car.

what she said was unethical. i never understood why older people like to hang around Facebook and Myspace anyway, that is a teenager hang about.

Lots of people of all ages use Facebook. This is the primary way some families keep in touch with each other, especially if they live in different areas.

Some political candidates used FB to their advantage for this last election. I don't have a formal number on this but supposedly those who had good FB pages did better than those who didn't.

Like any other tool, FB can be used for good or ill.

Just know that nothing is truly private. Even if you keep your settings to allow minimal access, anyone who visits your page can put something of yours out there for all to see.

There is no such thing as internet privacy.

To jackierocks, all I can suggest is that you post something to contradict the wrong impression. Mention things that you like about your job and keep stressing the positive.

Try to stay off the radar. Hopefully, this will all blow over soon.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
what she said was unethical. i never understood why older people like to hang around Facebook and Myspace anyway, that is a teenager hang about.

Don't know if you've actually been on Facebook in the last year ... but their fastest-growing user population is over 35. Hate to break it to ya. :)

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/27/4982716-older-adults-are-flocking-to-social-networks?GT1=43001

thanks people, I really needed some support. I cannot stop my emotions from flowing. a bump in the road in my 8 months of nursing, I know someday I will look back and chuckle but for now it seems like it will never go away and may ruin my career. In the end it is about the patients. They are my priority.

Specializes in babysitting.
Don't know if you've actually been on Facebook in the last year ... but their fastest-growing user population is over 35. Hate to break it to ya. :)

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/27/4982716-older-adults-are-flocking-to-social-networks?GT1=43001

nope, just browsing, and i could tell it wasn't for me. it seemed like it was more a place for hook ups like a dating service when i was on there. i said, nope, lemme move on.

Specializes in Med-surge, hospice, LTC, tele, rehab.
Jobs take it too far sometimes imo...

My friend was working in Pier One Imports and she was written up because she wrote, "I don't want to go to work today!" on her twitter. That's retarded. Everyone is entitled to their privacy and personal lives.

The best thing to do is not mention your job in any way shape or form on sites that have your name and photos up for your boss to see though.

Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.
I need advice. about a month ago I messaged a former employee of my work on fb stating..."how is your new job?! I'm itching to get the hell out," referencing an ongoing discussion that nurse and I had regarding CA nursing job market and my financial strain. The D.O.N at my work saw the post and took it to mean I was itching to get the hell out of my job. She then took the mis-conceived information and used my name and the post as an example to explain that she can see what is on fb to my nursing peers, CNA staff, business personnel, and anyone else who would listen. She de-famed my character according to one of the nurses listening to her rant. I came in to work early to confront her and explain myself. She laughed when she acknowledged using my name and told me that she would cry and she was me. She also posted "be careful what you wish for" on the original fb thread. I now work in a threatening environment where my nursing peers and CNA staff believe I hate my job etc etc. I spoke with our administrator about the whole thing and she didn't have much to say. Does anybody have any words of encouragement, advice, etc on the situation other than don't ever post anything that even might be misinterpreted on fb about work?? I cried all day, all night, and am licking the salt my face this morning :(.

I don't want to sound harsh but you have to be really careful about what you write these days. Big brother is watching you! My advice to you is to maintain a low profile, work hard and don't give management anything to use against you.

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