SECURING SAFETY IN

SOCIAL MEDIA: PITFALLS

AND POTENTIAL
Tori McCormick
Department of Nursing, Youngstown State University
NURS 6900: Professional Issues
Dr. Valerie O’Dell
December 1, 2020
SOCIAL MEDIA IN NURSING

• Defined as a constellation of internet-based tools that help users:

• Connect
• Collaborate
• Communicate

• Accelerating rapidly after it’s recent commencement in 1989

• Today’s major social media platforms regarding nursing include:
• Facebook
• Blackboard
• YouTube
• Osmosis
• Quizlet
PITFALLS VS POTENTIAL

• Negative factors relating social media with nursing:

• Unaccredited sources
• Misconstrued public images of nurses
• Untrustworthy information
• Digital divides
• Internet scams

• Positive factors relating social media with nursing:

• Public support
• Professional networking
• Accredited substantial information
IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN
NURSING
• What is affected by social media in nursing?
• Patient experience
• Nursing professionals
• Academic references
• Web-based nursing education systems
• Access to patient charts online
• Web based work meetings

• With social media proliferating it is now considered a mainstream communication method for the
population
HISTORY OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN NURSING

• Internet and Web 2.0 founded in 1989

• Used to help design a platform for virtual interaction

• Instant messenger was one of the first social media platforms used to communicate with others
• Functional for strictly communication
• Allowed people to remain anonymous

• In 1996 the first web-based education systems were adapted

• Further progressed into systems with real time lectures
HISTORY OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN NURSING
CONT.
• Wikis form in 2001
• Offer an open platform where multiple users can post new content, edit others’ content and create online communities
• Wikipedia
• Most popular Wiki

• Facebook founded in 2004

• Most influential platform used for patient support

• e-Patients emerge in 2010

• Consumer of health care who actively uses social media to enhance their experience
• Seek out the most up-to-date evidence-based practice
NURSING IMPLICATIONS

• Health care professionals’ responsibility regarding social media:

• Protect patients-rights to privacy
• Educate about new platforms that may be beneficial to patients
• Portray a positive image of themselves and the company they represent
• Unprofessional behaviors on social media include:
• Foul or discriminatory language
• Sexually suggestive images
• Portrayal of intoxication
• Unfavorable comments about employers, nursing schools, and patients
PROPOSAL OF RESOLUTION

• Support organizations such as:

• World Health Organization
• Truth About Nursing

• Support by:
• Propagating the good these organizations do
• Making these organizations well known to the public
• Donating
PROPOSAL OF RESOLUTION CONT.

• Individually nursing professionals must:

• Teach patients the importance of knowing what to look for when finding accredited sources
• Explain the various types of scams including but not limited to:
• Requesting money
• Falsifying credentials
• Develop competencies with technology as advancements are made
• Staying up to date on the latest trends and policies
• Upholding personal standards
CONCLUSION

• Primary reasons social media is on the rise despite having negative issues:
• Communication
• Furthering education
• Accessibility

• Leaders are working continuously to make safer platforms for health care professionals and the public
• Approaches nursing professionals may take in aiding the fight against social media include:
• Supporting organizations such as World Health Organization and The Truth About Nursing
• Educating patients on the risks and benefits of using social media in healthcare
• Represent themselves and the profession in a way that attracts respect

• Social media in nursing will only become more prevalent in years to come, so for constructive change to happen, these obstacles
need to be faced with teamwork and positive attitudes.
REFERENCES

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