Possible discrimination- what to do now??

[2010NewRN]

This might be long, but please read.

I am a nursing student in a RN program. I was doing clinical at one of the local hospitals recently. I was summoned to a meeting with the dean of nursing at my college to discuss an issue that was brought to her attention by this hospital. Apparently the hospital claims that I posted patient information to my Facebook account, which I had not done. I asked the dean of nursing what proof the hospital had provided to support their claim that I broke HIPPA. The dean said that she asked the hospital for proof, but they said they could not provide any. To show that I had nothing to hide, I let the dean go through my Facebook page where she found no wrong doing on my part. After this, she said the hospital provided one bit of information from my Facebook page. It was a status update from October where I mentioned I had bipolar disorder. The hospital has banned me from ever doing clinical at their site again, and I'm guessing I can pretty much rule that hospital out as a future employer, as well as any of their local clinics.

Now, to me, this seems like a blatant case of discrimination based on my mental health status, and many others feel the same way.

Now, my question is, what should I do about this?

My father talked to a local nurse who said this could become a big problem for me even outside of this particular hospital. She said I should write a response to their claims, and demand that it be placed in my personnel file at this hospital. I don't know if that is the right path to take or not.

I don't want to be labeled as a person that broke HIPPA policy, but I also don't want to be discriminated against in the future do to my mental health status.

Can some one help me out??

Thanks

[Commanderzoom]

How do they figure you violated HIPPA? Sounds to me like they're looking for excuses to get rid of you because you're "crazy".

Go to the ADA website and start there. They have loads of information that can help you.

[wolf!]

First thing I'd do is send a regerstered letter demanding copies including and not limited to:of any and all files, reports, and corrispondence, e-mails, memo's bearing your name, id number, ss# as granted by right under the federal freedom of information act of 1984.

Chances are there isn't anything there. Chances are they will posteriorly emit a brick, expecting a pending lawsuit. See what happens after that.