Social Media, worth it or not?

2ndyearstudent, CNA · Jan 6, 2011

Have you all read the case about the nursing student who got expelled over posting a photo of a placenta taken during lab (without pt identifiers)?http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110102/ap_on_re_us/us_placenta_photo
So my main question is, with social media getting as advanced as it has in the past few years, do you think it is worth the risk of losing your career?

The student in the case you mention did not get expelled for posting a photo of a placenta. She (and others) got expelled for TAKING the photo. In case anyone is unclear on this, students may NOT take photos of donated human tissue in labs or at facilities. Yes, this includes bones.

It is amazing to me how many people think the core issue is "social media." Let's say someone robs a bank, takes pictures of it while doing it, then posts those pictures on Facebook and gets caught. Would everyone immediately say, "Wow, that dang Facebook ruined another life!"? No, they would say, "Don't rob banks, you idiot."

With respect to the question of is "Social Media worth it?" well that is up to each individual. If you are an undisciplined idiot with a tendency to do stupid things, take pictures of them and them post them on Facebook, then no, Facebook isn't for you.

Phones are not for you either. Cameras? No way. Pen and paper? Probably best not to risk it because you will write something stupid. If someone is dense enough, even talking will probably get you expelled or fired, so consider if speech is worth it or not.

People's actions are what get them in trouble, not the media through which those actions were published.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2011

I keep my facebook locked down. I don't even put an actual picture on my profile... the only people who can view photos, wall posts or anything else have to be on my friends list. From all the BS going on with these schools and jobs and such, I am very unlikely to invite or accept invites from classmates or co-workers.

I refuse to delete my profile though. I'm not going to live my life in fear of offending people who walk around with sticks up their butts. I have family and friends from all over the country on there.

I also have elderly aunts and my inlaws on there, so I'm not going to be going around posting inappropriate stuff anyway. lol

Having said all that, I still don't see anything wrong with the girl's picture with the placenta.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2011

Face book is for friends and family only! Everybody should arrange their privacy settings... although this is not the case, I agree with the first reply, the infraction was made as the pictures were taken...

Then again... Immaturity here, a placenta? Cmon go study or do some real fun thing, a placenta can't be that much fun... Honestly

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2011

If you are an undisciplined idiot with a tendency to do stupid things, take pictures of them and them post them on Facebook, then no, Facebook isn't for you.
Phones are not for you either. Cameras? No way. Pen and paper? Probably best not to risk it because you will write something stupid. If someone is dense enough, even talking will probably get you expelled or fired, so consider if speech is worth it or not.

This just cracked me up. Awesome. :lol2:

Azure1213 · Jan 8, 2011

My school added a policy where we are not allowed to post patient information on facebook, I'm not sure what happens if you are caught, but that's as far as they went concerning social media

jhoilman · Jun 4, 2015

I agree with the previous poster who pointed out that it's not social media that ruining lives. The people who choose to posted unprofessional pictures or words are sealing their own fate.

Question: do you think the general population belIeves social media is benign and without consequences? if so, why?

Do you feel that it is fair to be judged by a peer or employer based on you activities on social media?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jun 4, 2015

As others have stated, it has nothing to do with social media. I find social media a great way to keep in contact with friends who live far away and see the events that go on in their lives, even when distance separates us. How people choose to use it is the problem. Posting information about their illegal activities or inappropriate photos (including photos that violate HIPAA) seems to be more frequent these days, and I don't know why anyone would think it's okay to post that kind of information anyways.