What to do about a classmate that is a pathological liar?

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I'm looking for some feedback on what I should do about my pathologically lying classmate. The things my classmate lies about range from slightly annoying to potentally illegal. He has been claiming to be a paramedic and holding a position as a flight paramedic at a local hospital. I have looked him up on the state regisitry and the employers website (I work at the same hospital and they are very good about updating quickly and being accurate) and they contradict what he says. I feel like something needs to be done, he lies to everyone including our professors!

Thank you for your help.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I hope you have a fresh pair of asbestos undies on because pretty sure you are going to get some heat from this. My advice, unless it directly affects you, stay out of it. It's not your business, you have no authority over him and you will end up looking like the bad guy if you pursue it. He will be figured out by the right people soon enough.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Walk away, it's not your business. Concentrate on what you need to do to be successful, everything else will work it's way out.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

While it's very annoying when people blatantly lie, this is an instance where I'd have to agree it's none of your business.

People "in the know" will soon discover he's full of it. Let him do himself in.

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Why do you care? I am a surprised you would actually take the time to investigate him by looking him up. Unless you have direct knowledge that he has done something to put a patient at risk, let it go. Your focus should be on you, and you only.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I agree with the others, not your business. If he feels the need to lie to fellow classmates to make himself look better--well, then, you should feel sorry for him that he has such a negative view of his "real" self.

If he lies to the professors, it's their problem, not yours. First, my guess is they will find him out. Also, they may know he is lying but they consider it harmless, albeit annoying, and they will just let it go. Finally, if he goes far enough, the professors and/or future employers will know, it will catch up with him, and his future in the profession will suffer.

Walk away, ignore it, and don't let it bother you.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

MYOB. If he is a liar, he will be caught sooner or later by someone higher up.

You are only setting yourself up for a world of hurt if you out him. Plus, you could put yourself in a difficult situation with the rest of your classmates. They will wonder if they can trust you, or are you researching them behing their backs?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Give him enough rope he'll hang himself...you need to stay out of his way so when he falls so he doesn't try to take you with him.

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Yeah, I don't really see how him lying would affect a patient. I'm not so much worried about my professors (it is just to emphasize how outrageous he is being with his lying) or my classmates (he is a joke amongst 90% of my classmates). I'm just wondering if running around and saying, "I'm a paramedic" is illegal. I'm pretty sure it's not legal for me to run around and say, "I'm an RN" or "I'm a police officer." I will not be saying anything but if anyone asks me my thoughts, I'm not going to lie :)

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Let him talk.. he won't last.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Who cares....? You do....

I would be studying my orifice off....not worrying about the stories coming of someone else's mouth. I would advise spending your time on studies rather than private investigating.

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

He will get caught. No one is as good of a liar/embellished storyteller as he/she thinks. You have already wasted too much time on this by searching your employee database and paramedic registry.

Focus on you & your studies. Don't give him attention as generally pathological liars are seeking attention. Just avoid him as best as you can. Don't be surprised if your instructors don't already know about the untruths.

MYOB & move on there are bigger battles to face, especially in nursing school. Id rather a liar than a cheater or someone who is lazy & cuts corners jeopardizing patient care.

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