Social media ppt

Journal of Practical Nursing | Fall 2011 | 3
www.ncsbn.org 1

White Paper: A Nurse’s Guide
to the Use of Social Media

August 2011

Introduction
The use of social media and other electronic communication is increasing exponentially with growing numbers of social media
outlets, platforms and applications, including blogs, social networking sites, video sites, and online chat rooms and forums. Nurses
often use electronic media both personally and professionally. Instances of inappropriate use of electronic media by nurses have
been reported to boards of nursing (BONs) and, in some cases, reported in nursing literature and the media. This document is
intended to provide guidance to nurses using electronic media in a manner that maintains patient privacy and confidentiality.

Social media can benefit health care in a variety of ways, including fostering professional connections, promoting timely
communication with patients and family members, and educating and informing consumers and health care professionals.

Nurses are increasingly using blogs, forums and social networking sites to share workplace experiences particularly events that
have been challenging or emotionally charged. These outlets provide a venue for the nurse to express his or her feelings, and
reflect or seek support from friends, colleagues, peers or virtually anyone on the Internet. Journaling and reflective practice have
been identified as effective tools in nursing practice. The Internet provides an alternative media for nurses to engage in these
helpful activities. Without a sense of caution, however, these understandable needs and potential benefits may result in the nurse
disclosing too much information and violating patient privacy and confidentiality.

Health care organizations that utilize electronic and social media typically have policies governing employee use of such media
in the workplace. Components of such policies often address personal use of employer computers and equipment, and personal
computing during work hours. The policies may address types of websites that may or may not be accessed from employer
computers. Health care organizations also maintain careful control of websites maintained by or associated with the organization,
limiting what may be posted to the site and by whom.

The employer’s policies, however, typically do not address the nurse’s use of social media outside of the workplace. It is in this
context that the nurse may face potentially serious consequences for inappropriate use of social media.

Confidentiality and Privacy
To understand the limits of appropriate use of social media, it is important to have an understanding of confidentiality and privacy
in the health care context. Confidentiality and privacy are related, but distinct concepts. Any patient information learned by
the nurse during the course of treatment m