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'''Group Assignment: Wikipedia Page

The Use of Social Media in Nursing Education '''

Introduction

“The term social media can mean many things. It has become a term or category that includes a variety of different possibilities for a number of internet-based platforms that can enable people to communicate in various ways” (Peate, 2013, p. 181). For years there has been controversy about using social media in education. This article will address pros and cons of using social media in nursing education, as well as addressing specific sites: Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In and YouTube. Social media use is changing the way people and organizations communicate. In one survey 3,014 participants were asked how they hunted for health information, 77% stated use of online search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Clearly this survey reflects the fact that the majority of people go to the Internet to research medical conditions. These statistics go beyond millennials (born 1982-2004). It includes baby boomers with over 51% using some sort of social media. Therefore nurses have an obligation to understand this use, and find ways to bring these technologies into the health care arena for safe use (Lachman, 2013, p. 326). What is a better way to introduce this topic than starting while still in nursing school? With the growing popularity and use of social media, it is the responsibility of the university staff to understand the risks and benefits regarding social media use in nursing school.

Pros

There are many positives when addressing the use of social media in nursing school. It is a fact that our society will never go back to a world without Internet, mobile phones, and social media. One of the biggest pros of using social media in nursing education is communication. Social media allows for students to communicate easily, make connections, and become part of various networks of people who have similar interests. Certain sites allow students to create “groups”. These groups could be other nursing students, nurses, or reveal practical resources. There are numerous professional bodies and organizations utilizing social media; multiple college universities, Department of Health, American Nurses Association, American Journal of Nursing, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HealthCare.gov, etc. It is obvious how utilizing social media can be a huge asset to nursing students around the world. “There are ways, with proper knowledge, to competently use social media and manage the implications of employees’ and students’ use of social media. If the risks are managed well, social media can be a positive force for patient advocacy and education, as well as a resource for evidence-based practice and research” (Baker, 2013, p. 501).

Cons

Although there are many pros to using social media, there are also some very detrimental cons. The most obvious is consuming incorrect information. Also, as nursing students, patient privacy is crucial. Technology, Internet, and social media must be used in the most professional way, once something is said in the virtual world, it is nearly impossible to completely erase it. Health organizations are now starting to employ staff born in the 1990s. This is a generation of nurses that have never known a world without the internet, mobile phones, and social media. This generation is likely to struggle in an organization that has not embraced social media, and set guidelines/policies for its staff members (Peate, 2013, p.184). Cyber- bullying is another con in using social media for educational reasons. This is an increasing issue in society as the use of social media has increased, as well as identity theft. Providing excessive personal information on social media sites can drastically increase the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.

Facebook

“Facebook now has 751 million monthly active users with 79% being outside the United States and Canada” (Lachman, 2013, p.326). With the large amount of accounts being from foreign countries, a nursing student could have the opportunity to learn about another culture and/or another form of medicine. Facebook allows for nursing students to create a group, from which one has to be “accepted” into. This creates a place for quick communication, sharing of resources and information, as well as group work. Facebook can hinder a nursing student when searching for a job. Many employers will search prospective employees, and depending what is posted, this could determine future employment. Universities and health facilities should have strict policies on use of Facebook, “posting”, and picture uploading to ensure patient and facility privacy.

Twitter

“Twitter now has almost 555 billion registered users, with an average of 58 billion tweets per day” (Lachman, 2013, p. 326). Twitter is considered microblogging. It allows its users to exchange small elements of content such as short sentences, individual images, or video links. When posting “tweets” they can only be 140 characters. Another disadvantage of Twitter is the inability to form or join groups. This poses a problem when someone wants to post large amounts of information. “Hashtags” can be made specific in order to facilitate a conversation about a specific topic, or to a specific group of followers. A user can follow the American Nurses Association, Joint Commission, other nursing students, and nursing humor. Another advantage to Twitter users is the ability to “re-tweet” certain posts allowing for this topic to reach another set of users (Bristol, 2010, p.199).

Linked-In

Linked-In is termed a professional sharing site. It can be utilized for sharing career information, professional or organizational news, and job opportunities. Its users can upload resumes and endorse peers for their skills and expertise. The site offers multiple areas to join organizations such as: American Nurses Association, Nursing Student Network, and The R.N. Network.

YouTube

In 2011, YouTube had received more than 1 trillion views, 140 views for every person on Earth (YouTube, 2013). YouTube offers great resources to a nursing student. It has been used by students for projects, as well as professors to show examples. Many professional organizations post videos for students to utilize. YouTube offers the choice to subscribe for free and follow certain users and Universities. The main issue to address when searching for videos is the credibility of the creator. YouTube is a useful educational tool throughout college, and especially to nursing students.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember when using social media is determining a balance between professional and personal roles. Nurses and nursing students must always be aware of patient privacy laws, as well as the university’s/facility’s policy on social media use. Many universities already utilize some type of social media; Oncourse (Indiana University) and Blackboard (Ivy Tech, Purdue). These sites are only accessible to students and offer resources, messaging, a chat room, and access to crucial information like assignments, grade books, and podcasts. “By being careful and conscientious, nurses may enjoy the personal and professional benefits of social and electronic media without violating patient privacy and confidentiality”. (Alaska Nurse, 2013, p.13).

References Alaska State Board of Nursing. (2013). White paper: A nurse’s guide to the use of social media. Alaska Nurse, 63 (1). 11-15. Baker, J. (2013). Social networking and professional boundaries. Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, 97 (5), 501-506. Bristol, T. (2010). Twitter: Consider the possibilities for continuing nursing education. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 41 (5), 199-200. Peate, I. (2013). The community nurse and the use of social media. British Journal of Nursing, 18 (4), 180-185. Lachman, V. (2013). Social media: Managing the ethical issues. MedSurg Nursing, 22 (5), 326-329. YouTube. (2013). About youtube. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/yt/about/