Question about ethics... old college professor told my boss to fire me

[cecikata]

So I got a job at this hospital on a med-surg/oncology floor this year. I just found out my old college professor who hates me has clinicals there twice a week. My boss from work just told me that my old college professor approached her and said something like "I didn't expect you to hire her, you better watch out!" and my boss told her to mind her own darn business.

I am really upset over what happened. My boss is not going to fire me, but it's like, WHY would someone go out of their way to put someone down? that professor had no reason to do what she did! I want to report her and get fired at the college, what she did was unethical, unprofessional, and inappropriate. That was definitely a defamation of character! No one's asked her for a reference! The thing I that i don't want to get my boss involved...

I have never done anything for this professor to hate me. I got ok grades on her classes but I've never done anything bag in clinical, the woman barely knows me!!! What would you do if this happened to you??

[elkpark]

Ignore it and forget it happened. You can never go wrong in nursing "taking the high road." You say that your boss told you about this and reacted appropriately when the professor spoke to her. Good! No harm done. The incident reflects much more on the professor than it does on you. If you try to pursue any kind of action yourself, things could easily turn ugly.

Best wishes!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It was even more unprofessional for your manager to tell you about that conversation -- sheesh.

[trinigrl78]

I think you should let your work speak for it self. Be the best nurse you can be to show your manager that frivolous gossip does not define who you are.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

try to ignore. In some states it is a felonious assault to slander a licensed professional, but I would not pursue unless pressed to do so in the future. Do your best and your employer will be so glad to have you

[caliotter3]

Document this and ask the other party for a statement for your records. Only do this so that you have the information available should further action become necessary in the future. No telling that this person might not repeat the behavior. I know of a college instructor that has been doing this type of thing for decades. It is amazing how many people in the nursing community speak about what the instructor did to them but no one has ever done anything about it.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

cali, you and I both know that most persons who come here and complain about an instructor are told to duck and cover, and," it was probably your fault any way."

Document this and ask the other party for a statement for your records. Only do this so that you have the information available should further action become necessary in the future. No telling that this person might not repeat the behavior. I know of a college instructor that has been doing this type of thing for decades. It is amazing how many people in the nursing community speak about what the instructor did to them but no one has ever done anything about it.

[Asystole RN]

I am sorry for your troubles.

A certain amount of gossip between professionals is not only expected, but desired. This is often called networking.

This should highlight the necessity of positive networking in your career. Network with as many people as you can in as many different companies, specialties, and organizations as you can. Try to never burn bridges nor make enemies because nursing is a very small profession.

Use this as a lesson that every encounter echoes far beyond your reach and will one day bounce back at you.