Might not graduate over FB

[BookWorming]

Can a nursing program not allow you to graduate for a post on FB that doesn't violate any school, board or HIPPA policies? I passed all my courses. Graduation is next week and they are letting people who failed exits graduate!

Anyway, I said I thought a tech was a *****. I deleted it. But someone on my friends list that goes to my school printed it out and gave it to my director. (Why would someone do that). So now the program is threatening to take my graduation away after I passed everything with really good grades. The dean doesn't seem to be helpful either.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, BookWorming:

I'm not sure of the technical answer. I only know that it is all too common for people to post "drama" on Facebook and other sources. My encouragement to everyone is to remember the following:

1. The Internet is PUBLIC. If you would not SCREAM out something in public, don't do it on the Internet. If you would not DO IT in public, don't do it on the Internet.

2. Google and related parties index everything. Rarely can you act fast enough to delete something you should not have posted before something indexes, archives, and saves it. Therefore, THINK FIRST... is this drama? Do you want the ENTIRE WORLD to know your dirty laundry, your thought process, etc. If not, then don't post it.

3. As PUBLIC is the Internet, the world is small. I've been told there's anywhere from 3 to six degrees of influence. Somebody always knows somebody. Therefore, it is ALWAYS in ones best interest to try very hard to ONLY post positive, encouraging, and uplifting statements -- or at least extremely neutral. That's not to state one cannot share their faith and political points of view or other areas that might be considered "too hot to handle," but it does mean that when you post you really need to consider everything.

Now, the huge down side to any form of writing --- which includes Internet-based posts -- is that it takes far more time and thought to write something out than to speak it. So there is rarely a "heat of the moment" argument that can hold a lot of water. Angry, cool off. Tempted to write something negative about another person, cool off. Is it ever worth it? Does it ever solve anything... or does it almost always cause problems?

Given you deleted your comment, I believe you know better... and realized what you did was not appropriate. Hopefully, your school will understand... especially if you can show them the deletion occurred prior to their contacting you or you otherwise finding out they might contact you. I.e. it shows it was a matter of guilt over the action vs. guilt over getting caught (there's a huge difference).

Thank you.

[kickstunt]

Pretty sure FB is considered along the lines of free speech. While it wasn't a smart thing to post, you could tell them you will be contacting the ACLU.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Can a nursing program not allow you to graduate for a post on FB that doesn't violate any school, board or HIPPA policies. I finished all my courses plus passed and Graduation is next week. They are letting people who failed exits graduate. I said I thought a tech was a *****. I deleted it but someone one my friends list that goes go my school printed it out and gave it to my director. (Why would someone do that). So the program is threatening to take my graduation away after I passed everything with really good grades. The dean doesn't seem to be helpful either.

You need to show your program that you are truly sorry for posting that and that it was a true lapse in judgement. You need them to believe that it will not happen again if you expect to graduate.

What did you hope to gain from posting that? Fb is not the place to complain about people, especially co-workers. Plus, even if your school hadn't seen it, many future employers check out your fb profile, and a future boss may have seen it. You just never know who will read what you post on-line.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Free speech only applies to public and governmental entities not to private entities ( like this website) and there are limits even in "covered" situations as to what permitted. (Libel & slander?)

That said, your quote was ----- and it's difficult to say/advise? Were you referring to a facility employee? School staff? Classmate ?

Don't post online what you wouldn't shout in a public arena.

Nothing online is ever truly deleted (especially on Facebook)

Be careful who you have as friends (classmates, coworkers, etc) even an innocent photo or statement can be easily twisted by a disgruntled friend or coworker.

Even with the tightest security settings screenshots happen.

You are ahead if you self deleted right away but not in the clear until you meet with school administration.

You may also want to reconsider your thread as which school you attend is clear per your posting history. You can contact the site mods/admin via the admin help desk.

[BookWorming]

Thank you, I contacted them. It was an employee at the place I was doing clinicals. I agree, it should have not ever been posted. I did write a letter of apology to the school and I'm currently awaiting for the phone call if I can graduate

It was a mistake and I feel bad about it. I will definitely not happen again if I where to graduate.

But can they do that? After finishing every course. I graduate next week if permitted. My classes are over. I finished all credit hours. So I'm wondering if this is legal?

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

That is terrible...... a huge price to pay for a momentary lapse in judgment. Hope you get it worked out.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

As far as legal you need to contact an attorney or your student malpractice insurance for advice per site ToS we cannot offer legal advice.

It may fall under your nursing schools policies/standards regarding professionalism and courtesy at/ towards clinical sites & staff. Do you have your school info in your FB profile? Do you ever mention the facility? Use the staffers full name? "Check in" at school or a clinical site?

[BookWorming]

I did not mention the facility, the position of the worker, the name or anything on that post. I understand. I looked into the nursing school policies and i did not violate any of them. I just called right now, they are still in the meeting

[Ally082]

Is there any code of conduct that you signed or was given to you? Read over that to see if they state it clearly that they reserve the right to hold you back from graduation.

I am looking into a CNA program for the summer to get some experience and the school makes you read an entire manual about appropriate conduct while in the program and during clinicals. It outlines exactly what can get you kicked out of the program and they are very, very strict. You must read & sign it before a face to face interview with their director. These places don't mess around because there are limited spots. My point is they probably could do it if they have a clear policy about conduct but that doesn't mean they should.

I think the fact that you are genuinely sorry matters. It's not like you are defending your behavior. You owned up to it and apologized. You are sorry, you learned a great lesson from this and you will grow as a person. Tell them over and over you never meant for it to be public and your intention was not to trash the program in any way. Tell them that you normally speak very highly of the program and it was a bad moment that you deeply regret. Do not get aggressive with them unless they do deny you graduation. Then take action if that happens.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

What an unfortunate situation. I'm probably not the best person to provide any relevant advice because the whole 'social media' thing continues to flummox me. I'm a very private person & just can't conceive of any motivation that would be strong enough to broadcast facts about my life to all the Internet universe. It gives me the boo-boo-jeebies just to think about strangers having access to any of my personal information - so I certainly would not provide it voluntarily.

But - I can certainly sympathize with OP's situation. It's horrible to think about a spur-of-the-moment decision that could potentially derail all of the hard work of nursing school.

[BookWorming]

I've read the manual and looked over it after this incident. There is nothing I there about social media. There's conduct we have to follow and I did not violate any of them. I personally did not tell this person this.

I do regret doing this and you do learn from it. I have never talked bad about my program. I speak very highly of them, even when others are bashing my school.

I agree about not getting aggressive. That's my last resort. I've already spoke to the director and the dean. I'm awaiting my phone call.

I won't ever do it again. It was bad judgment on my part. I'll admit that. And I learned from it.

It's just scary because I have one week until graduation and I've sacrificed 4 hard years of my family to nurse.