Social media is an internet tool that allows its users to create and share information with each other. The healthcare system benefits from the use of social media as the medical practitioners can locate and share healthcare information, hold online discussions about health care practices, and interact with the public and promote quality healthcare practices (Gorham et al., 2012). Nurses can use social media as a tool for collaboration as it provides an opportunity for nurses across the globe to hold conversations with colleagues concerning health care practices. Thus, it creates new communication platforms for nurses to hold online forums and discuss pertinent issues regarding health issues. Additionally, it is a tool that can be used to provide nurses with clinical education.
Social media in nursing also has its disadvantages. The information shared through social media platforms may be of low quality, thus unreliable. Secondly, intentional and unintentional violation of patients’ privacy may occur as nurses exchange information through social media (Andrew, 2016). Thirdly the use of social media among nurses can be a source of distraction and interruptions during working hours. The working environment for nurses is vulnerable and the presence of distractions or interruptions may lead to fatal outcomes.
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Nurses are advised to use social media with caution as it may be both beneficial and distractive. Thus, nurses should discern the health care information they find online and consult their seniors before applying this information in practice. This will ensure that a nurse does not violate the HIPAA rules and regulations, which may result to disciplinary action such as termination or punishment by the nursing board. When utilized cautiously, social media is a relevant tool to use in ones profession as it provides the chance to network with colleagues, creates access to clinical education and promotes quality health among patients.
References
Andrew, D. (2016). Federal regulators crack down on social media abuse in nursing homes. Retrieved from: https://proxy.lirn.net/MuseProxyID=mp01/MuseSessionID=0009odo/MuseProtocol=https/MuseHost=search.proquest.com/MusePath/hightechjournals/docview/1810442684/abstract?source=fedsrch&accountid=178720
Gorham, R., Carter, L., Nowrouzi, B., McLean, N., & Guimond, M. (2012). Social media and health education: What the early literature says. Journal of Distance Education (Online), 26 (2), 1-10. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1238142792?accountid=178720
