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.

[mushyrn, BSN, RN]

If that's ALL you posted, I think that's a stupid reason for not allowing you to graduate. However, it was NOT a professional thing to do, and nurses have to hold a professional image, at work and in social media. I'm in my 20s and know this. It sucks sometimes, because my friends feel free to post whatever they want, but I do now think before I post. I NEVER post about work, coworkers, or anything of that nature on social sites and I do not try to find and add coworkers/schoolers to them.

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

I am happy and relieved you will be able to graduate. Thank you for sharing your story, hopefully others will also learn from it.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

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.

While "free speech" allows you to say anything you choose, it does not protect you from the consequences of doing so.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

you probably need legal advice

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

That's why I don't add 'friends' on my fb from school. Not everyone is your friend and will backstab you in a minute! They only want to get on your page to be nosy. Glad to see you can still graduate!

This is one scary thread. I hope we all learned from it. Just goes to show who really are your friends or not. Remove all classmates from your list and once you start working NEVER add co-workers to your list. Period! No matter how good buddies you become or carry their unborn child. Another thing people don't do is set up their privacy and groups properly so you are not always posting to everyone. Last option is just get rid of FB...it's starting to become like the old yahoo messenger and myspace. History!!!

Pretty sure FB is considered along the lines of free speech.

Right... which means the government can't deny him/her his/her civil liberties because of what he/she wrote.

Beyond that, though, there are consequences to our words... sometimes good and sometimes not.

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?

Don't ask a bunch of nurses and nursing students what's legal, ASK A LAWYER! That's what they're there for.

It's not libel or slander if it is her opinion and not a fact.

Actually, it's not libel if it *is* a fact... if it's nonfactual, then it certain can be libelous.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Your question of "why would someone do that" is one you should ask yourself. WHY would you post a derogatory statement about a tech. Not professional at all. As to why one of your friends printed it out and turned it in is anyone's guess, lesson learned, it's a dog eat dog world out there, even among "friends".

As you can see, it's more than just grades. Was your comment about a tech at a clinical site? You're representing your school when you do clinicals, your childish comment posted for the world to see is a reflection on your program.

[Ally082]

You guys are still talking legal terms but the bottom line is there was a complaint by another student who was offended by what she wrote.

The school didn't peruse this, the person she posted about isn't suing or even complaining. This was strictly a student complaint against another student. We don't know exactly what the other student said to the school about the OP.

Free speech comes with the chance that you may offend someone so you better learn fast that it might hurt your family, friends or even work relationships.

However the OP was allowed to graduate so crisis avoided thank goodness!

You guys are still talking legal terms...

Only because I've grown so weary of the regular misapplication of the first amendment to the US constitution that I feel compelled to address it whenever I see it.

[Ally082]

Only because I've grown so weary of the regular misapplication of the first amendment to the US constitution that I feel compelled to address it whenever I see it.

I agree, people misuse it often.

I was worried that the OP was getting bad advice when told to get aggressive with the school before they made the decision. It would have been foolish to jump the gun bringing up legality when there was still a chance she could graduate. I'm glad it worked out, I just want future students reading this to understand that you should not threaten your school when you are in a position like this.. that's all.