Worried about my google search

[RNHS]

So, without going into detail I am currently an honor student enrolled at my community college and pursuing a nursing degree. Unfortunately about eight years ago I took nude (not really nude but sexually suggestive) photos of myself and now have someone trying to ruin my life with them by attaching my real name to those photos by means of instagram and a few message boards I used to post at and it is showing up in google search results because of it.

Am I never going to get hired because of what this vindictive and childish person did? Even though I have not taken or sent out photos like that recently and these photos are eight years old?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

If an employer found the pictures, I don't think they would automatically think you would be a horrible employee. More likely, they would be concerned about how public discovery of those pictures may potentially effect their reputation as a facility. In all likelihood, a decade old photo on a college message board or instagram that isn't criminal or Mediaographic won't affect your hiring potential.

What I would do is take the next couple of years in school to focus on networking with local hospitals/facilities. Get a job as an aide or CNA if you can. Establish your reputation as a professional, hard working employee so when you do graduate you've already forged positive relationships with potential employers.

[SnowShoeRN]

If an employer found the pictures, I don't think they would automatically think you would be a horrible employee. More likely, they would be concerned about how public discovery of those pictures may potentially effect their reputation as a facility. In all likelihood, a decade old photo on a college message board or instagram that isn't criminal or Mediaographic won't affect your hiring potential.

What I would do is take the next couple of years in school to focus on networking with local hospitals/facilities. Get a job as an aide or CNA if you can. Establish your reputation as a professional, hard working employee so when you do graduate you've already forged positive relationships with potential employers.

THIS for sure. But I would also still contact a lawyer just to see where you stand.

At my last interview one of the interviewers brought up something that had happened to me this past summer. I was stunned and had no idea how they even knew about. I'm not on facebook. I hadn't said anything to anyone prior to the interview. Nothing bad or defamatory or anything. Just a casual mention of something neutral. Until I realized I made brief mention of it in a twitter post months ago. Now, I don't use my real name on twitter. But if you search my real name, and do some digging, you can find other sites that may make mention of the twitter account I'm connected to.

We all know to try to be as professional as we can online. Still, despite that, it's kinda freaky how stuff like this comes back to haunt you. I think you'll probably be fine, but just see what a lawyer has to say. Best of luck to you.

[margin261]

You definitely need to contact an attorney to see what your options are.

There are laws now regarding 'revenge Media' that may apply, or, as another said, go after them for stalking.

Did you post the pics on a public forum originally, or did they obtain them from a person or a hacked account? I would imagine that would make a difference.

It may be that a cease & desist letter from an attorney would be enough to make them stop.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I'm a little scared for you, this person got angry years ago and is still trying to hurt you? Get a lawyer and go after it, but be very careful because this other person sounds 'off.' Seriously 'off'

I don't think it'll affect your ability to become licensed though

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Being licensed and getting hired are two different things. I disagree with those who feel confident this won't hurt your chances for employment. Employees are hired by people. Someone who has a problem with these kinds of photos being taken (either due to feeling a moral repugnance or just a belief that it shows poor judgment) and who is in a position to hire people may very well pass on this nurse no matter her professional qualifications.

Lesson for everyone reading: Privacy is basically nonexistent these days. If you would have a problem with photos of you being put out there on the internet, don't ever pose for them. A loving boyfriend or husband today can become a vicious, vengeful ex later on. Just don't do it.

If I were the OP, I'd use every means at my disposal to get these photos off the net. Although, if she ever made these photos available to anyone by posting it online in any fashion, I don't know that she actually has any recourse at all.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Wrong thread. Sorry!

[Sweet charm, ASN, RN]

I agree with most others that posted, also, you can try attaching your name to positive sites so that would show up first and the photos you don't want to see towards the bottom of a google search. You can make a small blog with your name and a nice professional picture or a Facebook with decent pics or something similar. directing traffic to these sites in the meantime while you get the rest figured out well help further with getting the inappropriate pics off or at least someone would have to click through some pages to find them