In fear of losing my license.

Published

Hello everyone, I have a question. I was chatting with this guy, and the conversation turned sexual. When I rejected him, he threatened to send the chat to my manager and to the board of nursing. Could this make me lose my license or my job? There were no revealing images shared on my part or anything. It was just a chat.

Thank you!

Secondly, if i were a manager or co-worker of the OP i would absolutely not lose any respect for her over something like this.

That's very fine, but the point I made wasn't whether or not someone SHOULD lose respect for her, it's that depending on a manager's values, they very well might. Not everyone is non-judgmental, and unfortunately for her, you are not her manager. She might have one who most certainly would view her differently, to her detriment.

Again, living out one's sex life on electronic media comes with risk.

The "shame" in today's society is the lack of true privacy. It's actually very scary.

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Given the information you provided:

1) it wasn't a patient or coworker

2) it was on your own time using your own computer

3) it had nothing to do with actually practicing nursing

4) you didn't talk negatively about your employer or your coworkers or your patients

5) you didn't violate HIPAA

You're fine :) I don't see any violations. If by some very small chance your manager finds out...the worst you will suffer is him/her knowing you are sex chatting during your days off...embarrassing but not punishable. Your license will be fine.

Embarrassing? I suppose. But who doesn't have sexual conversations on at least some of their off time? Not saying every sexts (I don't), but pretty sure most of us have or have had plenty of explicit conversations on this topic at one point or another.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I'm not a lawyer, but if the guy isn't a patient or coworker, HIPAA wasn't violated in any way, and this was done on your personal device on your own time, I don't see anything the BRN can reprimand you for. It's a personal matter between two people, not a nurse/patient safety issue or an employment issue.

However, you should consider using more discretion in future sexting encounters--don't give your full or even a real name and/or don't disclose the fact that you are a nurse.

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Embarrassing? I suppose. But who doesn't have sexual conversations on at least some of their off time? Not saying every sexts (I don't), but pretty sure most of us have or have had plenty of explicit conversations on this topic at one point or another.

That has nothing to do with whether or not one would be embarrassed for others to see and have intimate knowledge of one's sexual life. I'm not remotely ashamed to have a sex life with my husband, but YES, I would be very embarrassed for my private conversations and details to be known by coworkers or bosses! Professional life and my personal sex life should NEVER intersect imo!

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No worries. You are allowed to have sex. It would only be a problem if this person was a patient of yours.

Yeah, but not at work. If this was done at work and could be proven, it might be problematic.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I agree with not shaming the OP. We all have done things we regret. What is NOT ok is this guy threatening her. I would take it seriously and if he persists, take the evidence to the police to have the harassment stopped. GOOD LUCK OP.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

OP please keep us updated as to how you are doing. I am sorry this is happening.

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He is not a coworker. Just a guy I met off work who knows I'm a nurse

Is this person a family member of a patient?

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Tell him to eat ****

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Specializes in CCRN.

I would think that you wouldn't lose your license. Plus, if you have the chat saved, you can always use it as evidence of blackmail (if that happens).

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I think you are fine. Nurses do have their own personal lives. We carry ourselves in professional manner but outside work we can still be regular human being. As long as no work related duties have been violated or patient's safety then your job should be fine and your license shod be fine. At worst he can do is spread rumors or embarassing gossip which can get that person in trouble with. Life is short, don't let negative energy consume. Go travel and unwind.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Is this person a family member of a patient?

I think we've established that this person is not in any way related to her being a nurse.

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