Might not graduate over FB

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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.

It would have been foolish to jump the gun bringing up legality when there was still a chance she could graduate... I just want future students reading this to understand that you should not threaten your school when you are in a position like this...
Agree whole-heartedly. Assumption of an adversarial stance rarely results in positive outcomes.
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Actually it's not libel if it *is* a fact... if it's nonfactual, then it certain can be libelous.[/quote']

Actually, if a statement can be proven true(factual) or considered an opinion your right it's not libel. If it's a false statement and nowhere near along the lines of an opinion then it is defamation/libel. Her statement was I think so and so is a (profanity). Clearly her opinion.

And I believe free speech would apply if her school was a public school receiving federal/state tax dollars that impinges on her right to voice her opinion unprofessional or not. Just the other week a superior court deemed a FB "like" as free speech. Where do you draw the line?

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Agree whole-heartedly. Assumption of an adversarial stance rarely results in positive outcomes.

Also given the fact that she never said they were having a department meeting, in her initial post, about the outcome is what lead me to suggest contacting legal help because from what I could infer the school took the aggressive tone first with the threat of not graduating.

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Actually, if a statement can be proven true(factual) or considered an opinion your right it's not libel. If it's a false statement and nowhere near along the lines of an opinion then it is defamation/libel. Her statement was I think so and so is a (profanity). Clearly her opinion.

And I believe free speech would apply if her school was a public school receiving federal/state tax dollars that impinges on her right to voice her opinion unprofessional or not. Just the other week a superior court deemed a FB "like" as free speech. Where do you draw the line?

The line could be drawn by the facility who allows the students of that school to interact with their staff and patients when they don't have to. The OP posted about a facility tech which could potentially damage working relationships with paid employees of that facility and the school/ the students they invite there to learn. What if there is a contract involved and they lost a contract over it? If it were an employer and you lost a client contract over unprofessional behavior you would be fired.

I am begging you please do not

encourage students to ruin their careers by pushing the envelope with the fb free speech arguments. A good friend of mine adopted that attitude and lost a job of 9 years because she made fun of a co-worker on fb and many other co-workers printed it out and brought it to the VP, it was the worst day of her life. It's heartbreaking to watch people regret these things. I'm not saying you don't have a point but becareful when advising what action to take and when.

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Wow, do you have any friends in law or paralegal? I hope it works out for you. I find it hard to believe that it is illegal. But apparently slander is illegal. It's a good lesson on many levels for us all.

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Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

This "land of the free" has some of the most oppressed policies for anyone who opens their mouth to say something, then they play this whole charade to the world that we are the best free democratic country to be in.

Whatever you say be it good or bad, someone has an opinion on it and someone is going to sue you for it.

However, free speech does not mean you can say anything you want...

This is why everyone's so pretensive and have to be all goody 2 shoes not to step on anyone's toes.

- sorry if this offends anyone. I'm exercising my "free speech"....what's left of it anyways.

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I think the issue all boils down to professionalism. Grades have nothing to do with how one is able to conduct his or herself. Our school made a point of telling us upfront at orientation that being unprofessional in any way would not be tolerated- and this included how we were seen outside of school and how we portrayed ourselves in general (as in any of our online profiles).

Maybe the tech was hard to deal with. So what. As a nurse, you will have to deal with people like that more days than not. YOU will be the one who is expected to be professional about it. Take this as a good lesson on learning to be mature & learn to keep your opinions about others to yourself.

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Specializes in Addictions,.

Just recently someone was "Banned For Life" -(from the NBA)- over negative comments, a racial and prejudiced phone conversation that was recorded (and he knew he was being recorded). It's an extremely public issue.

Now, what you think about someone is your business, but when you expose that thought on social media, in an email, a text, a voice mail, a recorded conversation, etc.. it becomes EVERYONE'S business and you can't "unring that bell".

Review your school's policies, and I mean EVERYTHING that you signed and agreed to. I am pretty sure that you will find that the school can withhold your graduation for what you did, under a policy or agreement that you signed "way back when".

You will probably graduate, just not "walk" with your class. You see "this" in High School Graduations as well OFTEN. Social behavior is just as important as your academic achievements. Schools base their admissions often on your community service, and "Community" transfers to how you "behave" in school. It is an indicator of how you may present yourself in your professional placement.

Good Luck!!! I am an "older" student, as a matter of fact, I will be entering school at the age of 54.

You have learned a painful lesson. I do hope that your school recognizes that, and that you demonstrate remorse, and make amends. Just saying "I'm sorry" and deleting the post is NOT a sufficiant "amends Action. Take action and approach the Technician and personally offer your amends. The school may or may not take that into consideration, but..it's not about the school,..it's about YOU.

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Congrats!!! I am happy things worked out for you and I'm sure you will think twice in the future!! :)

As for all the debate, I don't know all the rules regarding education, but I do have some experience in hr. In most cases, if this were an employer/employee situation and the employer didn't have a specific policy regarding social media they could not simply terminate the employee (which I would equate with old in graduation to). They would reprimand her and inform her that any repeat offenses would result in termination because there was no specific policy at the time of the offense...I know it's not the same, but just a thought.

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Specializes in Addictions,.

Today is May 2, 2014...so??... Have you heard anything??

I suggest that not only do you apologize to your school, but that you make an amends in person to the Technician @ the Facility AND the person supervising you as a student there.

These are the folks you owe an amends to, and who you NEED in "your corner".

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Today is May 2, 2014...so??... Have you heard anything??

I suggest that not only do you apologize to your school, but that you make an amends in person to the Technician @ the Facility AND the person supervising you as a student there.

These are the folks you owe an amends to, and who you NEED in "your corner".

They did back on April 29th
Apr 29 by BookWorming

Well I prayed along with my family and they are allowing me to proceed and graduate. I thanked the Lord and I will definitely think before I post.

I agree, I am representing my school and that made the program plus myself look bad.

Next time I have something in my mind about someone, I will keep it there

I find it funny how it all happened though, because I hardly ever post on FB.

Lesson learned, a great lesson learned.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Wow, do you have any friends in law or paralegal? I hope it works out for you. I find it hard to believe that it is illegal. But apparently slander is illegal. It's a good lesson on many levels for us all.
It doesn't have to be illegal to break policy.

One might have the right of free speech but the law doesn't guarantee freedom form consequences.

Just ask the NBA owner....BANNED FOR LIFE.

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