Need advice on school staff member sharing my personal situation with other students

Sadala, ADN, RN · Oct 21, 2012

You said it was an administrative assistant? I'd speak with the prof and the nursing school dean. I'd tell my fellow student to MYOB (perhaps in a nicer but this is the end of the matter type comment) - something like, I'm sorry "fill in the name," I hope you understand that I'd like to keep certain things personal. And then just ignore it.

I have to think that testing in a separate classroom might make you stick out more and perhaps be ostracized though - just a thought.

Or. You can go the other route and just tell people that you have test anxiety and that you have an accommodation and you can act like you don't think there is a thing wrong with that (because there isn't). Maybe your fellow student also has something for which she needs an accommodation and that is why she is asking you.

Either way is fine and is YOUR decision. But either way, you need to ensure that the professor and dean know what the administrative student is up to because confidentiality in nursing is a BIG DEAL. They need to know they have an admn who isn't respecting it.

grownuprosie · Oct 21, 2012

I think the fact that the student came to you directly indicates that she may need help with the same thing. If all she wanted to do was gossip, she would have told all of your classmates not email you. I might tell her exactly what you said here. You did not want the class to know. You will appreciate her discretion in this matter. If she wants to know more about what services the school offers for testing accommodation she should contact student services.

about the confidentiality issue, i would think hard before making a fuss about it. It could have been as simple as she saw you going into the testing center, asked some hypothetical questions about the services they offered and came to the conclusion that that is what you are using it for. I have found that Admin personelle can and will be your best resource. Just keep that in mind considering you were not present when this conversation happened and you do not know what was really said.

Kaysmom8 · Oct 21, 2012

Thanks, I don't want to rock the boat but at the same time I'm just upset and didn't want to tell anyone because I already feel like an outcast because of having to take the test seperately but I have to because I can't focus and my panic goes through the roof.

Kaysmom8 · Oct 21, 2012

I think the fact that the student came to you directly indicates that she may need help with the same thing. If all she wanted to do was gossip, she would have told all of your classmates not email you. I might tell her exactly what you said here. You did not want the class to know. You will appreciate her discretion in this matter. If she wants to know more about what services the school offers for testing accommodation she should contact student services.
about the confidentiality issue, i would think hard before making a fuss about it. It could have been as simple as she saw you going into the testing center, asked some hypothetical questions about the services they offered and came to the conclusion that that is what you are using it for. I have found that Admin personelle can and will be your best resource. Just keep that in mind considering you were not present when this conversation happened and you do not know what was really said.

I just saw your post and I was thinking the same thing because when she comes in the room to test I'm already in there and I think this may have sparked her curiousity. Thanks

grownuprosie · Oct 21, 2012

I just wanted to add one more thing. There is a student in my class that uses the testing center for exams. I can honestly say that after a year and a half in class with her not a single student has mentioned it. The only reason I know is because she announced it one day. I know that this is significant for you, but no one in your class is going to waste more than a minute on it.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do:)