It's Finally Happened!

[Ruby Vee]

I recognized someone from the picture they're using as their avatar. Moreover, it's someone I'm responsible for evaluating. And what they're posting is not consistent with a good attitude or safe practice. I can easily see why they're having so many issues with their colleagues. And the amazing thing is that clearly they think they're doing just great and everyone ELSE is the problem!

Now what? I'd already written up the evaluation, but the pages I've printed off allnurses.com complete with the person's picture clearly support my conclusions. Do I include them? Or shred them and pretend I've never looked at allnurses.com?

Will it help if I tell you that my boss reads allnurses religiously? She's probably also seen the picture and the posts.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

I posted a few months ago about somebodies unprofessional posts being recognised by someone in the 'real' world.....mostly everyone said it wouldn't happen.......anonymity ruled.......oh yeah?

No. You were worried that patients would recognize themselves. There's a huge difference between that and one of your coworkers who is intimately familiar with your entire patient population and all of your coworkers.

I post, "My patient had diarrhea." A person would be stupid to think they are the only patient in the world to ever have diarrhea.

I post, "My patient had diarrhea." Two days earlier I posted, "My coworker wore a red thong under her white pants." Four days earlier I posted, "My hospital has a stupid new policy to only offer green jello that goes into effect next week." Patient with diarrhea doesn't know about the red thong or when the jello policy went effect, but my coworkers do.

In my former career I came across (on several occasions) people who used another person's identity online for slanderous/malicious purposes. This could be a "friend", former classmate or ex-partner holding a grudge. This may or may not be likely in this case but as long as you don't know with absolute certainty who's posting, it is something to bear in mind.

Very true. Unless you're a reasonably good hacker, you can't truly be sure what you read online is coming from the person you think it is. And even then, if they were targeted by a hacker better than you, still can't be sure.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

what if your coworker stole your picture and has been posting crazy stuff . it could happen. stranger things happen everyday. z evaluate her at work not personal time

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

Your hospital may even have a policy AgAINST using that information. There have been lawsuits on "wrongful terminations" due to it and people have won. I wouldn't want to go through a deposition or in and out of GR etc. not worth it. if employee is enough of a problem there should be enough proof at work.

Too much of a can of worms. Might backfire on you big time even if you are right

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Another thing, people who try to "connect the dots" to figure out who someone is has WAY TOO MUCH time on their hands. JMHO :-)

Nah, it can be really obvious and easy to spot. Nursing is a small community and mentions of your specialty and geography really narrow things down more than most realize.

But I'm loving the conspiracy theory that someone is using this nurse's picture to make her look bad. I know stranger things have happened, but given the number of folks who think they're completely anonymous on this site and that anyone who finds them out must be a super sleuth.....it seems much more likely that this is exactly as it seems.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

But I'm loving the conspiracy theory that someone is using this nurse's picture to make her look bad. I know stranger things have happened, but given the number of folks who think they're completely anonymous on this site and that anyone who finds them out must be a super sleuth.....it seems much more likely that this is exactly as it seems.

I'm very sure it's not a conspiracy theory. But based on an unconfirmed internet identity, I wouldn't be sure enough to take action regarding someone's employment.

[skittlebear]

I would not use any of the online findings. What I would do, however, is to be sure that each of the people that you are responsible for evaluating are crystal clear on the rules regarding identifying their place of work, and any/all other details specific to their place of employment in a bad light. There is, I am sure, a policy and they need to review and sign it.

People have a freedom of speech. No matter how unbecoming. What is not usually allowed is facility names, geographical areas, and other identifying details. The picture of one's self on an avatar is not ideal when one is complaining about work, however, if one is using their own picture, they need to stand behind their words.

As far fetched as it may seem, there are cases where someone uses someone else's picture to just stir up drama. So no one really knows for 100% certain that this is the person themselves, or someone else taking on an online persona of the person. (The "new" identity theft).

A good evaluation also has the person being evaluated discuss their side of things as well. How they see themselves as a nurse. If you have specific issues with performace, what specifically they can do to improve their practice. It all needs to be measurable and timelined, and the person would have no clue of wrongdoing unless it is brought to their attention, as the evaluator has no clue of the thought process unless it is brought to their attention.

At the end of the evaluation, when all is said and done, and an improvement plan is in place if one is needed, I would then note that you need to review the internet posting policy, that you have been made aware that postings have been made under the picture of the employee, and although you may not agree, you agree with her right to say it, however, by identifying herself she could cross the boundry of the policy. If the employee says "what are you talking about" then it can alert her to the possibility that someone else is using her picture online. And I would want to be made aware of that, as most would. If it is her, suggest that the picture needs to be taken down, or it could be cause for discipline should the posts cross the line of the policy.

Part of the policies now of internet usage DO include a paragraph on managers checking social media and other websites. So that is not outside of norm for managers to do. However, to give the nurse a timeline to remedy the situation may be worth it.

Nurses do need an outlet to vent sometimes. In the heat of the moment perhaps not always well received. But they also deserve a chance to change it. Hence why I would not pull out the posts and comment on them, rather stick to the policy.

This is what I wanted to say! I was in a hurry when I posted a reply and was on my phone so my reply didn't come out quite the way I had hoped. Very well said!

[pinkiepieRN]

I can't believe no one has said this yet, but wouldn't it be ironic if the person OP is taking about has been following this thread?

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I hope the "nurse in question" copies all of this and holds on to hard and electronic copies ...just think, having that 'ol facility paying all your bills for a while, ahhhh SWEET.

Maybe a nice vacation and a new car. That is what I'd do with the settlement. Too easy, way too easy!

[stephanie.]

I can't believe no one has said this yet but wouldn't it be ironic if the person OP is taking about has been following this thread?[/quote']

Good. Maybe she'll realize that for every action there is a reaction.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I'm very sure it's not a conspiracy theory. But based on an unconfirmed internet identity, I wouldn't be sure enough to take action regarding someone's employment.

Oh sure! I'd be really hesitant to use it as well. The more I think about it the more I think I'd just back away and handle the eval as though I'd never seen nothin'.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

So,I just randomly clicked on a user profile (of someone who has a 'selfie' as their avatar). I found out a lot about this person: their gender, age, how many children, what he/she does for a living, what nursing school he/she is attending, what he/she does for a living and what city he/she looks like. Not to mention (again) what he/she looks like. While I do have a lot of time on my hands today (my day off), it didn't take much to connect any dots here :/

As a parent, I'm an avid stalker of social media. I want to know what is going on on my kids accounts. Instagram is where the action is, it seems. And for the most part, kids attempt to maintain their anonymity (poorly). If I don't know who a friend of my child is, it doesn't take much for me to figure out how my child knows the kid. It doesn't take much time at all.

[Jennybrie]

I thought issues like this only came up out of facebook, twitter, etc. I had no idea that venting on this site would lead to a possible termination/disciplinary action at work unless HIPAA was violated. It's very ignorant of this person to post enough about their workplace to be recognized and think that they would remain anonymous. If I were this person I would want to know that those around me DID recognize me on AN for good or for bad. At the very least I would be embarrassed and definitely fearful of losing my job if negative posts were brought up. As others have said using posts as part of a work-related evaluation would not be appropriate but off the record it would be courteous to inform him/her that you recognize them on AN. Good luck!!