Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and nurses are no exception. As healthcare professionals, nurses can leverage social media platforms to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and promote their profession.
However, it's essential to navigate this digital landscape thoughtfully and responsibly. Let's explore social media for nurses.
The do's:
- Share your passion: Nurses can talk about themselves, their families, hobbies, and interests. By showcasing their human side, they contribute to the positive image of the nursing profession. Whether it's a heartwarming patient story or a personal achievement, sharing these moments can elevate others.
- Uplift the profession: Nurses should aim to champion the nursing profession in their posts. Highlight the critical role nurses play in patient care, advocacy, and health promotion. By doing so, nurses can combat stereotypes and inspire future generations.
- Know your employer's policies: Become keenly aware of your employer's social media policies. Different healthcare organizations have varying guidelines regarding employee social media use.
- Build a nursing community: Finding and connecting with other nurses can be an essential step to feeling like you belong on social media. Places like the Nurse.com Community offer nurses the space to meet other nurses, find support, build their career, discover events and groups that foster growth, and organize their nurse life in one place.
The don'ts:
- Patient confidentiality: Never talk about patients or identifiable coworkers. Avoid sharing specific details that could lead to patient identification.
- Avoid employer identification: Refrain from identifying your employer on your social media profiles. While it's okay to mention your workplace in general terms, avoid specifics. Posting about work while on duty can also jeopardize your safety and privacy.
- Think before you post: Don't share anything online that you wouldn't say in front of your boss or human resources. Remember that your online presence reflects your professionalism.
Nurses on social media
Alice Benjamin is a nationally board-certified FNP and Cardiac Clinical Nurse Specialist –she’s also known as America’s Favorite Nurse.
Benjamin, also known as Nurse Alice, is a social media sensation and a media personality, appearing on television and radio shows and as the host of her own podcast. She became popular online for advocating for nurses and sharing her two decades worth of expertise in health care.
Effectively using social media was a crucial tool that Benjamin used to help grow her career.
“I'm all about using social media to connect and empower nurses everywhere. It's a fantastic way for us to build a supportive community, share insights, and learn from each other's experiences in real-time,” she said. “This engagement not only boosts our professional growth but also enhances the care we provide to our patients.”
Benjamin uses platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to reach her wide audience.
“This is how I came to be affectionately coined, as America's Favorite Nurse — for my community health contributions using social and mainstream media,” Benjamin said. “By staying active online, we make sure that we're always at the cutting edge of what's happening in health care, which benefits everyone in our community.
Social media in nursing can be a powerful tool when used wisely. By following these guidelines, nurses can engage positively, protect patient privacy, and contribute to the nursing profession's positive image.
