Nursing in a Digital Era: Ethics and Professionalism in Social Media

Social media use has become ubiquitous, with more than 5.5 billion users globally in 2024. Among these users are professionals, including nurses, who use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other social networks for learning, networking, and advocacy. Although social media has advantages in being used to share information to the public and create communities, it also has disadvantages, including breach of a patients privacy and blurring professional boundaries.

For nurses, the implications of ethical violations are severe; they can lead not only the loss of patients trust, but also to termination from practice. It is vital to demonstrate professionalism and adhere to the following best practices for online social media engagement.

The Role of Social Media in Nursing

The use of social media today is very high, as 63.8% of the global population is active on social media platforms. Many healthcare professionals have embraced the use of social media for professional use, and young nurses use platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn to network, learn, and further develop their careers.

Nurses post insights using hashtags like #NurseLife and #HealthcareHeroes, which create active communities. For example, leadership and mentorship are topics of great interest to both novice and experienced professionals in the nursing field. TikTok videos with the hashtag #NursingTips have reached millions of views, which can make a good platform for education and sharing experiences with fellow nurses. LinkedIn groups like Nurse Innovators, which highlights how social media is useful for modern nurses, can be an excellent source of information for budding nurse entrepreneurs as well.

The Benefits of Social Media for Nurses

Nurses have the opportunity to use social media to go global with their professional development and engage with other healthcare professionals across the world. Professional networking sites like LinkedIn cross-link with other nurses and leaders, while social media groups provide educational material, webinars, and current events in medical practice. For example, accounts like @CEUfast Nursing CE help nurses stay updated on their licensure by providing new and revised courses for continuous education.

Being able to engage in patient advocacy efforts is one of social media's biggest advantages. Nurses use social media to raise awareness and fight misinformation. Other campaigns that have been adopted include #VaccinesWork to address specific important health issues.

Furthermore, social media offers emotional support. Facebook's Nurse Support Network is an example of an online community where nurses can discuss challenges, celebrate achievements, and foster solidarity, supporting resilience in the profession.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

The use of social media by nurses raises many ethical issues, such as the violation of HIPAA laws. It is still possible to violate the confidentiality rules even when posts are made using anonymized patient cases. For example, a nurse posting a story about a particular patient she treated in which she uses some identifiable characteristics of the patient is legally and professionally wrong.

Another issue is the blurring of professional boundaries. Interaction with patients on social networks or sharing private opinions on critical issues can lead to erosion of trust and blur the distinction between personal and professional roles. It is crucial to have different accounts and to distinguish between professional and personal life.

Furthermore, cyberbullying and professional backlash are another set of risks. Lack of understanding or carelessly made comments may lead to penalties, dismissal from work, or a negative impact on ones reputation. Recent examples of nurses faced with disciplinary actions for their TikTok videos highlight the need for awareness.

Lastly, nurses should not post about medical matters without evidence. Misinformation can erode the publics confidence in the healthcare system, which is detrimental to the profession. Nurses must verify the information they share and make sure it is based on facts.

Guidelines on how to maintain professionalism on social media

The first step towards professionalism in online conduct is for nurses to understand the existing guidelines. Ensure you are familiar with your employers social media policies and follow state board recommendations to ensure ethical and compliant behavior. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has produced guidelines to help nurses engage professionally when using social media.

Think carefully before you post. Make sure that the information you are providing meets the standards and does not violate the HIPAA rules. Using patients stories, even anonymously, can violate the patients privacy in some way. It is also best not to post when one is too emotional, as this makes one post things they may later regret.

Boundaries are best handled by separating professional and personal social network accounts. It is also important to have two different accounts. Make your personal account private and your professional account public and open for networking and education only. Review and regularly update privacy settings to control who views your content.

Finally, stay up to date with the latest developments on social media. It is crucial to take time to learn about the latest features or trends so that you can grasp the dynamics of the digital world and act accordingly.

Conclusion

Social media has played a significant role in improving professional development, patient education, and community interaction. However, it also comes with certain challenges that, if not well addressed, may lead to ethical dilemmas such as privacy violations and unprofessional conduct. With this knowledge, nurses can avoid the risks associated with social media and instead use the platform more safely and effectively.

Digital platforms are likely to remain part of peoples lives. Therefore, it is crucial for nurses to use them ethically and properly. Social media can be employed to share positive health information, to interact with fellow nurses, and to update oneself while maintaining caution not to cross the line of professionalism. This approach can lead to a good and beneficial digital nursing practice.

About the Author:

Nicole Ricketts-Murray is a registered nurse (RN) who has a passion for traveling and discovering new places. With 17 years of experience in the field of nursing and a multistate nursing license, she is a highly qualified professional. Apart from her professional expertise, she is also an avid writer and enjoys sharing her insights and experiences with others.

Nicole is an independent contributor to CEUfast's Nursing Blog Program. Please note that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely of the independent contributor and do not necessarily represent those of CEUfast. This blog post is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any health-related questions or concerns.

If you want to learn more about CEUfast's Nursing Blog Program or would like to submit a blog post for consideration, please visit https://ceufast.com/blog/submissions.