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Social Media in Nursing
Social Media in Nursing Education

“Social media is more than an emerging technology platform or cultural trend, but a method of communication that is changing the way individuals and organizations throughout the world transmit and receive information (Schmitt, T., Sims-Giddens, S., Booth, R., 2012). Social media can assist in the understanding of communication, along with professionalism, health care issues, and ethical dilemmas. Social media consists of Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, and other sites which all are user-generated content. This article will discuss the use of social media in education, and how to use it appropriately in the health field. This article will also discuss why it is important to use social media in nursing education, and some differences and similarities between different social media sites.

Social media has to meet three criteria to be considered user-generated. It must be generated on a public or social networking site, it must show creative effort, and it must be created outside of professional routines ( Dubose, 2011). It also provides for users to “generate, share, receive, and comment on social content among multiusers through multisensory communication” (Moorhead, S., Hazlett, D., Harrison, L., Carroll, J., Irwin, A., 2013). In the era of technology, there are many forms of social media. These include and not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, YouTube, and Pod Casts. These all play a role in social media for education.

Facebook is a global social networking site that has an increasing amount of health care professionals, medical organizations, and medical journals. Twitter is a micro-blogging site that also has many health-related organizations and professionals included. LinkedIn is a professional networking site that allows connections for health professionals. Google is a search tool that allows health care professionals quick access to information (George, D., R, 2011). YouTube is a site used to search videos related to the topic chosen. There are many videos that contain information useful to the nursing education. Pod Casts are auditory clips of information chosen. There are many discussions in these Pod Casts and can be helpful for health education.

The CDC has a list of the top lessons learned from using social media that are useful in knowing. Making a strategic choice and understanding the level of effort are important. Following the demographic and user data to make choices based on the audiences, objectives, and important messages is part of this choice. Go where the people are at, social media can help reach the intended target. Spend a lot of time in these areas to learn, share, and interact. Making sure messages are science based is important. Accuracy and consistency will make effective health communication. Creating portable content that can beyond the website will help spread the message. Facilitating viral information, encouraging participation among followers, and setting realistic goals are all important. These are just a few pointers from the list found on the CDC.gov site on their social media toolkit. (CDC, 2011)

“The AACN have revised curriculum standards, encouraging nursing programs to incorporate not only nursing informatics, but technology competencies as well” (Schmitt, et. al., 2012). Social media sites can help students learn and be open to new opportunities. Many students own laptops, own smartphones or at least have access to computers. This helps students have access to nursing information at their fingertips. It allows for interaction and communication. It also helps reinforce learning, and reflection amongst different topics of interest.

Similarities and Differences of Social Media Sites

Social networks, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, are ways to stay connected with family and friends and to voice what matters to that individual. LinkedIn is the largest social media professional network. Blogs, such as WordPress, are basically commentaries on a specific subject. There are multiple microblogs that are used to update followers, share images, as texts that are under 140 characters. Some examples of microblogs include Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest. Wikis are a collection of web page content that can be created by anyone, as well as edited by anyone. Podcasts, such as YouTube and iTunes, can be downloaded to computers and smart phones and provide an individual with a multimedia digital file. (Lachman, 2013)

Social Media and Nursing Students

There are 6 basic rules that every nursing student, and medical student, need to keep in mind as they are using any of the social media sites. Although these rules seem obvious, there apparently have been individuals who have violated these guidelines, or else the rules wouldn’t be in place. First, professional standards apply online just as they do in all other circumstances. Second, a nursing student cannot share any information that was acquired during the nurse-patient relationship. Third, the use of professional boundaries needs to be maintained and there should not be any contact with patients or their families’ throughout social media. Fourth, under no circumstances should the nursing student make any negative comments about patients or their families, current or past coworkers, or any employers even if the identities have not been directly exposed. Fifth, absolutely no taking pictures of any part of a patient with personal cameras. Lastly, any break of confidentiality must be reported. (Lang, 2013)

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2011). The Health Communicator’s Social Media Toolkit.

Dubose, C. (2011). The Social Media Revolution, Radiologic Technology, 83 (2), 112- 119.

George, D. R., (2011). “Friending Facebook?” A Minicourse on the Use of Social Media by Health Professionals. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 31 (3), 215-219. Doi: 10.1002/chp.20129.

Lachman, V. D. (2013). Social Media: Managing the Ethical Issues. MEDSURG Nursing, 22(5), 326-329.

Lang, B. (2013). MNA Spring Leadership Day the Nuts and Bolts of Social Media. Maryland Nurse, 14(3), 9.

Moorhead, S., Hazlett, D., Harmon, L., Carroll, J., Irwin., A., (2013). A New Dimension Of Health Care: Systematic Review of the Uses, Benefits, and Limitations of Social Media for Health Communication. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15 (4), e85. Doi: 10.21961/jmir.1933

Schmitt, T., Sims-Giddens, S., Booth, R., (2012). Social Media Use in Nursing Education. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 17 (3). Doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol17No03Man02.