Discovered a boo-boo on Social Media

Published

I discovered a post on in a large, private nursing discussion group on a social media website.

The person posting works for the same organization that I do. I challenged that person and got REAMED for being a "rat". Am I wrong in thinking that I need to report a serious allegation made against the organization that I am a loyal employee? It was not just a vent or rant, there was an actionable allegation made.

I contacted the person's superior anonymously. Now I have to decide to take it further or not.

**not asking for legal advice. It has nothing to do with me or anywhere near where I work-it is a different entity entirely-but part of the bigger organization.

If you truly felt comfortable with what you did "and would do it again" you would not feel the incessant need to keep defending your actions and attacking contrary opinions. You sound so naïve, that it's baffling to me that you're actually a nurse with years of experience. I think you definitely have a skewed sense of perspective.You are not in charge of PR, you had no place getting involved in this situation end of a story sweetheart... Not your circus, not your monkeys!

I think you believe you have great relationships with your colleagues, but if this is how you routinely conduct yourself I highly doubt they have a great opinion of you. They just have the professionalism to not tell you to your face ;). On allnurses.com people will be honest because we all communiate behind the comfort/safety of anonymity.

Should your colleagues find out what you did, the first head to roll will be yours. You may not feel the backlash immediately, but you will in time.

Specializes in Hospice.

OP, when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. That your victim was a complete stranger to you only makes you look worse.

The sheer malice of your behavior is remarkable ... To the point that I'm starting to disbelieve your entire story. You must either be a troll or an exceptionally sadistic sociopath.

Either way, seek help before you hurt somebody else.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

i am not attacking anyone I am rebutting the comments from others. People have disagreed with me, which I respect, but you are the one attacking me; calling me names.

Again, my colleagues are aware. I sought out their opinions.

I am anything but naive. I am 50 years old. I have a graduate degree in another field, in graduate school and have 2 bachelors degrees. I have been in healthcare for a total of 10 years.

I truly am confounded by the your extreme reaction to this.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
The sheer malice of your behavior is remarkable ... To the point that I'm starting to disbelieve your entire story. You must either be a troll or an exceptionally sadistic sociopath.

No malice-defending my employer. No troll-been on this site for 5+ years. I don't care if you believe me or not. Love to know where you got your psychiatry degree. I stated before the issue had been handled.

Specializes in Hospice.

I might ask you the same question about your law degree.

I stand by my assessment.

Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I can see where the OP is coming from. If I saw a serious allegation online that was bad enough I just might bring it up to someone to be investigated. It wouldn't mean anybody was getting into trouble. But a serious (possible) offense should be looked into.

I'm not so sure I would have responded to the online poster with anything. If I did I think it'd be a "well I work there and I haven't seen anything! Maybe you need to talk to HR." I really don't think I'd have gotten into a back and forth with them.

So I can at least see where OP is coming from. Without knowing the actual statement made we can't truly give our opinions. I'm not sure how some PP's can give such absolute opinions without knowing the entire story....which we won't know since OP does not feel comfortable sharing.

Specializes in ER.

When I saw a coworker post something questionable on Facebook, I sent her a friendly message. I suggested that it might be wise to remove, that some busybody tattletale will report her.

The Bible tells us to go to people directly. Good advice.

Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

When something is posted on social media, it can be seen by many many people. Having your place of employment attached to it makes it known what employer you are talking about. It is best not to post anything on social media regarding specifics of your job. I don't know what the comments were, but apparently it would be something that the employer would not be happy about. If one has an issue with your employer, you take it to the people above you and if you don't get satisfaction there, there are places you can report it to. If about infractions that would mess up your license, your board of nursing; if about discrimination, EEOC; things like that. You don't post it on social media.

Now that you reported it to the person who needed to hear about it, let them handle it from there. I am going to guess that you took screenshots of the posts in case they are asked for and the post gets deleted.

Specializes in Hospice.

She foresaw the possibility of retaliation, so she knew full well that some-one was getting in trouble.

Nope, not buyin' it.

No malice-defending my employer. No troll-been on this site for 5+ years. I don't care if you believe me or not. Love to know where you got your psychiatry degree. I stated before the issue had been handled.

But... why defend your employer against allegations you know nothing about...... made by someone you've never met.... at a branch of your company you've admitted is geographically nowhere near you...?

Why on God's Green Earth are you getting involved in this?

At best, you're coming across as a busybody who gets off on being an instigator of drama.

But... why defend your employer against allegations you know nothing about...... made by someone you've never met.... at a branch of your company you've admitted is geographically nowhere near you...?

Precisely! It's clear the OP came here looking for a pat on the back for his/her pathological behaviour. Seriously, this person needs a second or third job 'cause they have waaaay too much time on their hands to be so invested in creating drama out of the actions of strangers. What kind of person behaves like this? Says a lot about their character... or maybe what is or isn't going on in the OP's life to make them behave this way.

From the details the OP provided, the nurse in question did not breach confidentiality and did not abuse patients. So, why all the drama? Methinks there are deeper issues or secrets afoot.

Specializes in Rehab, pediatrics.

I would have sent a private message to the person saying "hey, I don't think it's wise to post that on social media..." And would have ended it at that.

Perhaps the person would have taken it down after that and if not, I don't know the exact situation but if it's something that were HIPAA related I would mention it to HR otherwise I don't think I would care enough to tattle.

My main thing is sometimes you need to talk to the person you have a concern with first. I had an experience where a nurse fabricated what I said and went to the supervisor. They found that I was telling the truth about what actually did happen... But the funny thing is they were more upset with the person who ran to the supervisor... You know why?? Because that person never came to me first and said that he or she had a concern with my decision. Also the person wasn't even there for what did happen! He or she heard bits and pieces and made an assumption and went straight to management.

In a situation like this I would have talked to the poster and left it at that. No need to run to a supervisor, especially one that isn't even in your department.

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