Is Social Media Important for Nursing?

Is Social Media Important for Nursing?

Many changes have occurred in public relations and communications in the last decade. As technology has advanced, connectivity and communication have also advanced. Social media is a great platform for anyone to reap its benefits. The same is the case with nursing.

Social Media and Nursing Social media is not only meant to enhance technology and cultural trends, but a method of communication as well, which helps individuals and organizations share knowledge with colleagues.

Social media is a huge purveyor of knowledge. It provides a communications platform for nursing faculty, and helps students gain extensive knowledge about the medical field.

Social media can enhance nursing education. Some nursing schools have begun using social media in order to extend classrooms. A few nursing organizations have their own pages and communities associated with a social media platform, and are able to share relevant knowledge in an expedited process.

Here are a few points that describe the importance of social media for nurses ● Use of social media is viral around the world, so it’s a great opportunity to connect with patients ● It has changed the perception of health services ● Social media is being used as an aspect of recovery by mental health service providers ● Nurses can play an important role in improving patient health, utilizing social media How can Nurses derive benefit from Social Media?

Blogging is a very useful technique that can be used to share knowledge in a positive and thoughtful manner. Nurses who manage blogs and update information show a dedication to their respective fields. They can also promote activities and other endeavors on social media as well.

Facebook The largest communication and social networking site, there are 500 million users connected to an average of 80 communities, pages, and groups. There are also a number of professional nursing associations that have pages and groups on Facebook, allowing visitors to connect with a huge online community of nurses.

LinkedIn Another popular platform, it is said that LinkedIn has 100 million members worldwide, with 1 million new members joining every week. Its subscriber profiles reach the top of google and other search engines. Its job search tools and company pages can be used to find work or

career options. Employers can also be discovered here. LinkedIn is one the fastest growing platforms offering connectivity between employers and employees.

Twitter Twitter can be used to send 140 character thought bubbles. Top rated tweets of organizations appear towards the top of the feed, allowing users to stay informed on relevant developments.

Aforementioned positives aside, their are a few negative connotations associated with social media.

Privacy Issues Nursing is a profession that carries many risks, like the disclosure of protected information.

Nurses need to be cognisant of what they share on social media platforms, and the detriment it may or may not cause an organization.

According to NCSBN, confidential information should only be shared with the patient in order to prevent significant harm. Any contravention with nurse-patient relationships often damages the overall trust of the nursing profession.

Contravention of patient privacy on social media may surface in different scenarios: ● Sharing patient’s photos and videos, even if they are unidentifiable ● Photos or videos that may unveil room numbers and patient records ● Patient’s description, medical conditions, and treatments A violation of confidentiality occurs as soon as the patient’s information is shared on social media, so try to avoid these situations.

Understanding the implications of such violations, is paramount when operating as a nurse on social media. Entertain yourself and friends with social media, and never use these platforms in a way that would be detrimental to you, the patient, or the organization you work for.

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