Use of Social Media in Nursing profession Order Instructions: I have to post my opinion on Use of Social Media in Nursing profession In this discussion forum, I have to share your thoughts on the use of social media, ANA guidelines for social media, and HIPAA.
A response will include specific examples to the articles, websites, and my feelings regarding the nurses’ actions.
Use of Social Media in Nursing profession Sample Answer
Social media is one of the recent technological advancement that has changed the way people communicate. In nursing, social media is an important communication tool. Social media is both a personal and professional communication tool for nursing. However, personal and professional etiquette must be observed while using social media as a communication tool.
One of the most important compliance issues for nurses to observe is to ensure that patient privacy and confidentiality is not compromised in their online communication. For example, it is wrong for a nurse to post the genitals of a patient on social media pages. Many nursing professional bodies including the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), asserts that patient confidential information can only be shared with their consent (Anderson and Puckrin, 2011). Nurses breach patient confidentiality by posting patient photos or videos, and their personally identifiable information. Nurses must also be aware that sharing confidential and sensitive information is a crime under the HIPAA act.
However, nurses can also use social media to build and maintain a support network. Interactions with colleagues on social media can provide relief from job stress. The American Nurse Association (ANA) has issued a number of guidelines that guide the nurse’s conduct in online environments. These guidelines can help nurses to use social media in a manner that does not compromise patient confidentiality and privacy.
The nurse must remember that social media is a public communication forum. Any post on social media may have serious consequences on the nurse’s career, the profession, and the institution. Therefore, nurses must use social media in a way that protects patients, themselves, their employers, and their professional from irresponsible use of social media.
Use of Social Media in Nursing profession References
Anderson, J., & Puckrin, K. (2011). Social network use: A test of self-regulation. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 2(1), 36-41.
