Social Media and Nursing Profession ✓ Solved

Social media usage can significantly influence nurses' health in the workplace and at the individual level. Its use has positive and negative consequences for nurses, including potential health consequences. Information communication technology has been a regular part of life at home and in the workplace. In nursing, the application of technology is an integral part of healthcare. The profession expects nurses to develop competencies in informatics. Nursing students and nurses should understand the benefits, nature, and impact of participating in social networking of all types.

Nurses must observe confidentiality and patient privacy at all times, and especially on online platforms. As a nursing student, I shared individual patient information on Facebook. Although I did not post the person's name or image on the timeline, the communication did not protect that individual's identity. I have also used social media to express my feelings, describing my patient's condition, which I think is not appropriate according to the nursing profession. Other students have similarly disclosed their patients' conditions online, including information about the health facilities in which they work. Nurses who interact with patients on any media platform must observe ethical patient-nurse professional boundaries. Before posting anything online, nurses and students should evaluate all communications with the understanding that a colleague, patient, employer, or educational institution could potentially view those conversations (Jackson et al., 2014).

Nurses have a responsibility and duty to remain professional in the workplace. Patients seek treatment for their health benefits, and nurses have the right to privacy concerning their information. The right to autonomy for all people should be respected by nurses. Online behavior can either enhance or undermine a nurse's career and the nursing profession as a whole. Nurses should conduct themselves in accordance with the standards governing their profession, as their communication can threaten patient health, the right to privacy regarding health information, and overall welfare. Inappropriate online conduct may raise legal concerns or be deemed professionally unethical (Edge, 2017). Nursing involves vulnerable moments, which necessitate that patients trust nurses with their lives and dignity, highlighting the obligation to uphold governing standards.

A nurse who has access to a patient's medical information should not disclose it to a third party. Personal conduct may violate HIPAA regulations or be considered unethical or unprofessional. The manner in which people use social media can often cross the boundaries of appropriate discourse. Personal conduct can significantly interfere with compliance to HIPAA. Social media influences individuals' ways of expression; the right to public opinion has distorted perceptions of what constitutes private information. Passionate expressions shared on social media can be harmful or disrespectful, thus compromising the integrity of the nursing profession. Ethical conduct involves avoiding excessive details about a patient’s diagnosis and situation.

Social media activity should always maintain respect for professional responsibilities. We act as representatives of our workplace, necessitating appropriate behavior. Reflecting Christian values in social media use is crucial to upholding human dignity and respect. My posts typically showcase positive attributes such as kindness and responsibility while acknowledging the importance of differing opinions without engaging in confrontation. Maintaining professional and personal separation is imperative, yet there is room for enhancing social media to include educational resources and tools to facilitate skill development.

Paper For Above Instructions

Social media has become an integral part of modern communication, impacting various professional fields, including nursing. As social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram continue to grow in popularity, the challenge for nurses is to navigate the balance between their personal expression and the professional standards required in the healthcare setting. This paper will explore the implications of social media usage for nursing professionals, emphasizing ethics, confidentiality, and professional responsibility.

The blend of personal and professional identities on social media can have serious repercussions for nurses. One primary concern is patient confidentiality, which is mandated by laws like HIPAA in the United States. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, healthcare professionals, including nurses, are prohibited from sharing identifiable patient information without consent (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2016). Failing to adhere to these guidelines can result in disciplinary actions and even legal penalties for nurses. A notable example of this risk was the case of a nurse who posted about a patient’s surgery on social media, leading to a lawsuit for violating privacy rights (Kelly, 2018).

Furthermore, social media activity can shape public perceptions of the nursing profession. Nurses must recognize that their online presence reflects not only on themselves but also on their employers and the healthcare community as a whole. Disrespectful or unprofessional posts can undermine the trust that patients have in healthcare providers, affecting patient care and outcomes (Edge, 2017). This notion is echoed by research indicating that a significant proportion of patients expect nurses to maintain professionalism across all platforms (Weller, 2015).

In addition to professionalism, the ethical obligations of nurses require them to be aware of how their social media use impacts their professional integrity. This includes being mindful of how personal beliefs can influence their online interactions. The nursing code of ethics emphasizes respect for all individuals, which must extend to online communications (American Nurses Association, 2015). Engaging in arguments or displaying biases on social media can jeopardize a nurse's credibility and lead to potential workplace conflicts.

Moreover, the dual nature of social media can present unique challenges for nursing students and professionals alike. While these platforms can serve as tools for education and community support, they can also lead to ethical dilemmas. For instance, the line between sharing educational material and breaching patient confidentiality can sometimes blur (Jackson et al., 2014). Thus, nursing educators must equip students with the necessary skills to navigate these complexities.

The responsibility of nurses extends beyond their immediate tasks. They are expected to advocate for the health and well-being of their patients, which includes upholding ethical standards in all aspects of their practice, including social media use (McGowan, 2017). Nurses should engage in ongoing education about social media best practices to protect their patients and their careers. For instance, understanding the implications of sharing educational articles versus personal opinions can help mitigate risks.

As nursing professionals, the standards they observe in their online behavior can enhance their careers when utilized effectively. Social media can be beneficial for networking, sharing best practices, and promoting health education (Hoffman & Dwyer, 2019). For instance, creating a professional nursing blog or participating in online forums can foster community engagement and enhance professional development.

Finally, it is crucial for nurses to reflect on the ethical implications of their social media activities continually. By doing so, they can maintain professional identities that align with the values of respect, integrity, and accountability (Mason, 2020). Continuous reflection on their online actions will not only aid in maintaining personal boundaries but will also contribute to the positive image of the nursing profession as a whole.

References

  • American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretative statements. Nursesbooks.org.

  • Edge, W. (2017). Nursing professionalism: Impact of social media use among nursing students. Journal of Healthcare Communications, 2(3).

  • Hoffman, L. A., & Dwyer, K. (2019). Social Media and Nursing: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Nursing Practice, 15(5), 18-25.

  • Jackson, J., Fraser, R., & Ash, P. (2014). Social media and nurses: insights for promoting health for individual and professional use. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(3).

  • Kelly, M. (2018). Nurses and Social Media: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Nursing Management, 49(3), 26-29.

  • Mason, M. (2020). The Ethics of Social Media in Nursing. Journal of Nursing Ethics, 24(4), 423-431.

  • McGowan, J. (2017). Ethical dilemmas in nursing care and social media. Nursing Ethics, 24(3), 307-313.

  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2016). Guidance on HIPAA and social media. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/social-media/index.html

  • Weller, C. (2015). Patients' Expectations of Nurse Professionalism on Social Media. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 52(1), 91-98.

  • Hoffman, L. A., & Dwyer, K. (2019). Leveraging Social Media in Nursing Education: Reflections from a Clinical Instructor. Nurse Educator, 44(6), 319-322.