Not Nurse Ratched

Hi Deb, grins are harder to read than a fluid level on a Pleur-Evac. Instead of a “Chesire grin while displaying a human body part, very much akin to an elated hunter being photographed after bagging an 18 point buck, or… as many in our country remember… like human body part war trophies on display.” I see a grin that says “I’m excited to be in nursing school and part of our education is to examine this – a real placenta.”

There is no disrespect or unusual display noted and the student is properly gloved and lifting the specimen so it can be seen just as it is done on countless medical education programs. The student had told her instructor her intention was to “share the experience on Facebook.” This same photograph could have been shown on the Opra or Dr Oz program highlighting the education of nursing students without a word being said.

The school could have easily used the photograph in their own social media to promote the learning experiences being offered by them. The photograph could have been the spark needed to get students interested in anatomy to think about nursing.

As you said. “Violation of privacy was not the issue here” as there are no identifiable markers – a placenta is a placenta and could now be identified to a specific patient only by extensive lab tests and without someone to match it to…..almost imposable. This was a lab specimen! Not to mention that unless the mother had a use for it, it would have been tossed out in a HazMat bag. If the school had not responded in a knee-jerk fashion, her post would have been a non-issue and posts all over the web would not be calling it a “HIPAA violation”

The school should have had a social media policy in place but sice there wasn’t, when the student asked about photographs, the instructor should have discussed the students intentions to make sure the post was in good taste (which I think it was) There is room to share exciting learning experiences that are in good taste and that do not violate privacy.

In my opinion, if the students suspension is not reversed it will limit many valuable learning opportunities that not only Facebook offers but social media in general – but there has to be social media policies in place for guidance and work from there. Like you said “What a sad mess!”

Interesting comments on the nsnbc article,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40874448/ns/health/?ocid=twitter

Later, Vernon.

I think dismissl a little harsh. Severe reprimand would have sufficed. Perhaps more education on approriateness of behaviour and responsibility for actions. She does wear rarher a ghoulish grin while she is poking at the placenta.

I really enjoyed this post. I took a couple days to research and formulate my own opinion.

There are many issues here, HIPAA, professionalism, social media policies or lack thereof.

But I believe generational misunderstandings are the deeper issue here.

Check out my full blog post if you are interested.

http://sarahbethrn.com/post/2570306000/nursing-student-expelled-for-facebook-photo-the

I have been a nurse for 35 years, and have had the privilege to mentor student nurses.
My comments regarding the behavior of those noted in the article, “Nursing Students Expelled For Posting Photo of a Placenta on Facebook.”
Personally, I stay away from Facebook, I am uncomfortable having my personal information ‘out there’ for anyone to access. I have heard too many stories where people get “burned” due to something they have posted or is posted by someone else on their page.
I acknowledge that we are rarely made aware of all the facts in any given situation reported by the media.
The Nursing Instructor’s alleged response was ambiguous. When told to remove the photo from Facebook, allegedly, the student did.
Responding to the information available, the Nursing Instructor should be held accountable for her error in accurately educating her students regarding professional behavior.
Although the students involved showed poor judgment, expulsion is too severe a consequence. They should be placed on probation, allowed to continue their studies, and have their individual performance monitored.
Students are going to make mistakes, it is the responsibility of the instructor and the institution to educate and correct, not to discourage and destroy.