Students and Facebook

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Hello...

I am a full time instructor in a nursing program. A few months ago, we were forced to dismiss a student due to behavior. Recently, I found that a co-worker, one who assisted in this student's dismissal process, is friends with her on Facebook. I find this grossly inappropriate and am seriously questioning my co-worker's judgement. My question is, what should I do with this information? The better part of me is telling me to do nothing. However, I have a nagging feeling that I should address it.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

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Specializes in Surgery.

Being friends with someone on FB means nothing. Some people don't go on for months. They could have become friends before it all went down and now she just hasn't thought to de-friend her. Leave it alone..

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

What is your school social media policy? Most schools prohibit faculty and students from being linked on social media. That will guide what action you may or may not need to take

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Specializes in Research & Critical Care.

Inappropriate how? What do you believe is detrimental about the relationship?

Considering their teacher-student relationship no longer exists, and that the relationship does not appear to have complicated or create bias the dismissal process, I personally don't see the issue.

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Thank you for the replies.

I agree that Facebook is Facebook and much of it can be taken with a grain of salt. However, as professionals, I also believe there are boundaries when it comes to students. This particular student, when dismissed, did not go quietly. She filed a grievance, and lost, but has also threatened legal action against the school. Do I think she will pursue any such action? Not likely. But, if she does, our faculty having any contact with her outside of any legal proceedings is a huge conflict of interest. Not to mention that she bad mouths our school and our program all over town to anyone who will listen.

The social media policy at our school does not address interactions between student and faculty.

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I believe it is inappropriate for a teacher and a student who is under 18 to be friends on FB. When I was teaching HS English I had students try to friend me but I never accepted.

However, in nursing school I am friends with my professor on FB bc we are both adults.

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Specializes in ICU, trauma.

i was friends with all of my nursing professors on facebook while i was in school. I don't see how it's inappropriate. I see how this situation is very different but still do not see the problem

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Maybe your coworker is monitoring what she is posting on FB and using it to help your school if a lawsuit does come about?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

While I agree it is inappropriate, if there is not a policy against it, then there's nothing you can do. I will not friend students on FB until after they graduate.

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Specializes in Primary Care.

I'm an instructor and stay vigilant about not sharing personal contact information with students until after graduation, including email, phone number and social media accounts. However, I seem to be the minority in my beliefs. I think times are changing and the line between appropriate and inappropriate is blurring.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

You say she assisted in the dismissal process? How much assistance did she give? I recall an incident that occurred during nursing school that involved about a dozen students, and the staff mishandled it to the point where the students called in the provost from the main campus (6 hrs away). While ALL the staff played a role in how it was handled, not all of them agreed with it (as was confided in my by one of my professors).

I bring this up because I find it odd that the dismissed student would be 'Facebook' or any kind of friend with someone who was instrumental in her dismissal. However, if this instructor confided in the student that she didn't agree with how the school handled the dismissal, or the dismissal at all-- perhaps that is why they are friends.

I don't know the details of the student getting kicked out, but I will say that in my program the student kicked out over a 'behavior' was railroaded by 2 specific instructors. All of the students knew it as well as half the staff. Some of the instructors wanted to help her, but the 2 bullies (that's what they were) had much higher standing and louder voices.

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I would avoid becoming involved in this situation. She may have been fb friends with this student long before the situation happened, and may not even realize she is still friends with her. Also, other faculty may resent you monitoring their facebook pages and friends list. I can see why you feel the way you do, and I also get annoyed at these situations. But I would MYOB.

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