Social media has gone from being an amusing addition, to an integral part our daily lives. I remember the first day that I got Facebook, back in 2007. I was in high school at the time, and mainly used it to connect with friends and family. Then came Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and more recently TikTok. Yes, I have had an account on each of these platforms. While everyone has life outside of the professional world, it is always important to remember that what you post online can impact the integrity of your career.
I try to remain private on social media mainly for professional reasons. I have come to realize that I don’t post very often on social media platforms. I would consider myself a ‘Listener’, when it comes to my social media use. An active user that tends to fly under the radar. I also tend to refrain from commenting on the posts that are more political in nature. While I enjoy reading the differing opinions people may have, I often feel there are better ways to prove a point than by a posting on a thread. I always try to stay true to who I am as a professional. When it comes to my professional identity, I strive to be a leader and a lifelong learner. As a nurse, some of my core values include: Empathy, Accountability, Acceptance, Respect, and Social Justice. When it comes to social media use, it is important to maintain a balance between core professional and personal values. Social media use can have many advantages when used in an appropriate manner. These benefits may include enhancing professional relationships, raising awareness or combating misinformation by sharing credible resources.
Lately I find it somewhat challenging reading the many theories surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic on social media. Working as a Public Health Nurse, currently redeployed to the pandemic response, our role is to prevent illness and improve health within in our community. We are all working tirelessly each and every day to stop the spread of COVID-19. I try my best to not let what I read on social media affect me, but I will be honest, it sometimes makes me feel a bit defeated. Social media can be very influential on our mental health. I have learned over the years to be more mindful when it comes to my social media use, by setting intentions, challenging my initial reactions and most importantly.. knowing when it is time to sign off!
As a Registered Nurse, I am part of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), which is the governing body for Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses. As a Public Health Nurse in Halton Region I am represented by the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA), a union that represents tens of thousands of health-care professionals within Ontario. Nurses work in a number of different positions in Canada, most work on the frontlines within hospital and community settings. Other roles may include public health, administrative functions, research and education. The Canadian Nurses Association states that “Nurses across the country are leading and participating in system-wide initiatives that improve patient safety, enhance quality of care and advance the health-related quality of life for all Canadians” (CNA, 2013, p. 3). From a public health perspective, one of the most important strategies aimed at improving the health of Canadians is through health promotion and illness prevention (CNA, 2013, p. 8). Examples of health promotion initiatives include harm reduction and tobacco cessation programs.
I try my absolute best to take into consideration professional ethical standards when it comes to social media use. Several students in my #MHST601 course had posted on our class forum about the International Nurse Regulator Collaborative (INRC). The INRC has developed a position statement on social media use and the specific expectations for nurses. Some of these expectations include: professional image, confidentiality, privacy, boundaries, and integrity (INRC, 2014).
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) also provides specific guidelines for nurses on appropriate social media use. The RNAO states “When in doubt, don’t post” (RNAO, n.d.). I think it is extremely important as a nurse to ensure all posts add value to discussion, remain respectful and most importantly protect privacy. As health care professionals, we really are held at a different standard when it comes to social media use.
Overall, I feel that I am fairly good about pausing and thinking, is it really necessary that I post this right now? Prior to pressing that save button.
References
International Nurse Regulator Collaborative. (2014). Social Media Use: Common Expectations for Nurses. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://inrc.com/INCR_Socia_Media_Use.pdf
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. (n.d.) Social Media Guidelines for Nurses. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://rnao.ca/news/socialmediaguideline
Canadian Nurses Association. (2013). Registered Nurses: Stepping up to transform Health Care. Retrieved Feb 1, 2021, from https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/files/en/registered_nurses_stepping_up_to_transform_health_care_e.pdf%20Accessed%20February%2021,%202020
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