Social Media Tips for Nurses
With a simple internet scan, they can quickly find out information about nurses through social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google and many more.
Take social media and the nursing profession seriously. Think critically when posting any content online because you will be held responsible for all of your actions online. Nursing and social media can make a great combination if used wisely.
Here are some tips for nurses who are using social media:
- Do feel to share interesting updates about your workplace. Your friends and family who follow you will be happy learn more about why nurses deserve respect.
- Don't use identifying hashtags in compromising photos of you and co-workers out on the town. You don't want a potential patient associating the photos of you in your personal life with the quality of your nursing care.
- Do remember that when in doubt if it feels wrong to be sharing something then don't click “POST.” The rule of thumb is generally that if you have that gut feeling of discomfort where you are unsure if it is appropriate or not, it probably isn't.
- Don't bash your workplace. Whenever posting about work, try to think about how your superior would feel if they read it.
- Do keep in mind that your social media is a public representation of who you are at work and at home. People will always reach conclusions about you based on your posts, so lead people to the conclusion that you are an ethical and professional nurse.
- Don't ever violate HIPAA. Be sure to familiarize yourself with what counts as identifying information and leave it out of your posts to protect the rights of your patients and your own nursing license.
Nurses and other healthcare professionals have an obligation to understand the nature, benefits and consequences of participating in social networking of all types. Online content and behavior has the potential to enhance or undermine not only the individual nurse's career but also the nursing profession.
Published at: 08/02/2015
