Professional Standards Allow Healthcare Nurses To Step Into The Light Of Social Media Platforms

The discipline of Nursing is an art and science committed to professional excellence by providing highest quality care possible. Quality of care is determine by identifying the observable characteristics that depict desired and values degree of excellence and the expected, observable variations. Social media has greatly infused many aspects of society, particularly healthcare. Through social networking sites, blogs, forums and similar platforms, it has become easier for people to find health information and get the care they need. However, the use of social media in healthcare is not without its challenges. Concerns over breaches patient privacy, the abundance of unreliable health resources, violation of personal-professional boundaries and concerns over professionalism. A major risk in the use of social media in healthcare is the possibility of posting content that can damage the reputation of providers, students and the healthcare institution as a whole. Many healthcare providers also fear that people might perceive them negatively through photos, comments, likes and other social media activities. Ensuring that healthcare professionals provide only relevant and appropriate information is the best way to avoid such issues and controversies.

"The power of social media allows influential changes in Canadians healthcare system"

A great many healthcare institutions and professional organizations have issue guidelines to prevent these risk. Professional healthcare should practice ethical standards and social media etiquettes whenever engaging on social media platforms. The College of Nurses on Ontario (CNO), who is a governing body for registered nurses in Ontario that oversees the registration practices of the college to ensure that they are transparent, objective, impartial and fair for those who want to practices as a nurse in the province of Ontario. Moreover, as a Registered Nurse practicing in Ontario, the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) is a protective union who support nurses. Both the CNO and ONA recognize that advancement of social media and the use of social networking sites by Registered Nurses in today’s practice environments address specific issues surrounding social media, social networking and professional conduct both in practice settings and for personal life.

The CNO Code of Conduct and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses are documents that outline expected practices and behaviours for the nursing profession. These documents highlight the requirement of maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy at all times both in-person and online. While social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram are popular sites for social networking, the practice expectations and code of ethics and code of conduct can be applied to all types of online communication, including personal websites, blogs,e mail sharing and discussion forums.

As I continue to grow and develop my professional social media platforms and branch out into the social networking world through connecting with others, I have a responsibility for practicing social media in accordance within the laws, regulations and standards governing the nursing profession of Ontario.

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