Social Media and Doxxing - Your Thoughts???

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

So, I first had to look up "doxxing" which is to publicly identify or publish private information about (someone) especially as a form of punishment or revenge.

This recently came up when I read about Joshua Strickland, an RN in Louisianna who posted a selfie at the end of his first day on a new job in which he BLURRED out parts of his name tag. He vaguely mentioned a comment from a patient he had cared for that day without revealing any identifying information. He posted it to a FB group and it went viral as so many nurses could identify with his sentiment.

However, out of the thousands of supportive comments he received there was someone who felt a need to report it. So, they utilized technology to "unblur" his name tag and then reported it to his hospital.

He was fired and is currently unemployed.

So....what are your thoughts on this?

Is it okay to post selfies regarding work situations?

How about the person who reported it?

Do you know your facility policy?

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

I think taking pictures at work should be avoided in order to avoid these types of situations. Even when no patient information is revealed most places have policies prohibiting photography while working. That said I think it was pretty trite of someone to go through the effort to report him and essentially cause him to lose is job, to me that's incredibly petty.

[klone, MSN, RN]

1) NO NO NO

2) I would have to see the original post/selfie to form a judgment on whether the reporter was out of line. My first inclination is to say what they did was out of line. However, did they actually dox the nurse? Did they publish this nurse's private information online, or did they just obtain his name and report him to the hospital?

3) Not off the top of my head, but I don't really need to know (see #1)

[Guest757854]

Sad situation here. I hope he can find another job.

This is the exact reason i do not have any form of social media. All it takes is one photo or comment, and things can go im the wrong direction.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

1. Yes, with a good dose of common sense. Neutral topics and stuff that you can openly discuss without negative repercussions from management, peers, and patients are OK. If you can't tell the difference, just don't.

2. That's the current culture now. You can get in trouble for your political views, your opinions, etc. Best to be careful because the downside to social media is that it's also a public jury of users that can unfairly vilify you and affect your future. People have had careers ruined.

3. Well, the 1 hour annual mandatory learning module covers it and it's enough for me to say it's not worth losing my job to vent anything work related online.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Great discussion. What about nurses who “tattle” about social media posts? The person, supposedly a nurse on this closed FB group went to considerable effort to “unblur” and out Josh’s post. Did THEY go too far? Who appointed them the guardian of the internet?

[Guest757854]

36 minutes ago, juan de la cruz said:

it's not worth losing my job to vent anything work related online.

AT ALL!!!!

[Guest757854]

1 minute ago, traumaRUs said:

Great discussion. What about nurses who “tattle” about social media posts? The person, supposedly a nurse on this closed FB group went to considerable effort to “unblur” and out Josh’s post. Did THEY go too far? Who appointed them the guardian of the internet?

I do not condone what the nurse did to him! I absolutley think the nurse went way too far and put too much effort into "unblurring" his last name. But as vindictive and underhanded as some people in the nursing profession are inside the walls of an employer (i.e. bullying, backbiting, incivility, etc..) makes me wonder why he wouldnt think a nurse on the outside of his job wouldnt be the same way.

LESSON HERE: do NOT post anything work related on social media.

I am rooting for his rebound and recovery. Im sure he will be able to secure employment somewhere else and he can take this as a lesson learned.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Agree. However when should we as professionals just “leave it”? Was this worth putting someone’s job in jeopardy? Morally right or wrong?

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

10 minutes ago, traumaRUs said:

Great discussion. What about nurses who “tattle” about social media posts? The person, supposedly a nurse on this closed FB group went to considerable effort to “unblur” and out Josh’s post. Did THEY go too far? Who appointed them the guardian of the internet?

Yes, they went to far. There was nothing illegal in his post, nothing that was a breach of ethics and yet someone still went after him. Yet another example of how nurses are their own worst enemy, we will never advance our profession until we retract our claws out of eachother's flesh.

[Guest757854]

Just now, traumaRUs said:

Agree. However when should we as professionals just “leave it”? Was this worth putting someone’s job in jeopardy? Morally right or wrong?

This was definitely not worth putting someones job in jeopardy. He did not violate hipaa, there was no patients in danger nor staff for that matter and he attempted to do the right thing bg blurring his own name.out....so yes, with that...it should have just been left alone.

From a moral standpoint....IMO this was so wrong for him to be outted and terminated.

[Salisburysteak, BSN, RN]

1.). I personally do not have my work listed or occupation listed on social media. A pet peeve of mine is bathroom selfies of nurses and nurses station selfies! UGH can’t stand it! Just do not say anything about work at all. That is the safest thing to do.

2.) Hard to say on this. What was posted by Josh that seemed him to be reported and terminated.

3.) My work policy is that we represent our facility and we should be mindful of what we post on social media especially photos and violation of HIPAA; no photos in patient areas and on the floor. Break room okay because we are away from patient areas.