Matter for Discussion: Social media and nursing

One of social media’s primary advantages is that nursing staff can connect and communicate with their colleagues and other health care professionals worldwide, accessing a wealth of information on health care topics that can be useful in their practice. This communication can lead to knowledge sharing and building, and maintaining professional relationships which contribute to improved patient care and outcomes.

Social media is an ideal platform to help advance nursing practice by disseminating research and knowledge or influencing through campaigns related to the profession. It is a powerful tool for public health initiatives and awareness raising, for example, helping to decrease instances of preventable illness. It also supports access to CPD resources, as well as research and clinical experience with health professionals globally. 

In Northern Ireland, social media has played a key role in promoting and disseminating information in relation to the strike action taken by RCN members in December 2019, January 2020, December 2022, and January 2024. And across the UK more widely, RCN members were mobilised around issues of nursing pay and strike action on social media channels.   

However, social media also presents risks for the nursing workforce. It has the power to misinform, which can be particularly harmful for nursing when inaccuracies are more subtle and do not immediately provoke scepticism. Fact checking and reputable sources are essential when using any information. 

Another risk for the profession is the potential for breaches of patient privacy. Trust is vital for our profession, so nursing staff must be conscientious about what they share on social media, including encrypted messaging sites such as WhatsApp. Even seemingly innocuous information can be used to identify patients and any breach of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code, or workplace policies could result in disciplinary action or be used against them in legal proceedings. 

Furthermore, nursing staff must remember that social media platforms, even private messages, are not confidential and information shared about colleagues or patients could result in sanctions. 

To mitigate risks, the nursing workforce should adhere to professional codes of conduct, maintain strict patient confidentiality, verify the accuracy of information before sharing, and use privacy settings to control who can view their content. In addition, ongoing education and training on social media use in health care can help nursing staff navigate social media platforms responsibly. 

It is important to note that many nursing staff choose not to use social media for both personal and professional reasons. Unfortunately, this can result in a lack of access to job advertisements and information, creating a sense of information poverty and inequity. As a result, nursing staff who do not use social media may feel they are at a disadvantage compared to those who do.

Therefore, while social media can be a valuable tool for communication and learning, nurses and other nursing professionals must ensure it’s used responsibly and be mindful of the potential risks.

The reading list for this debate is available here.

References

ACAS (no date) Social media in the workplace. Available at: www.acas.org.uk/archive/social-media-in-the-workplace (Accessed 15th March 2024).

Geraghty S, Hari R and Oliver K (2021) Using social media in contemporary nursing: risks and benefits, British Journal of Nursing, 30(18), pp. 1078–1082. Available at: www.britishjournalofnursing.com/content/professional/using-social-media-in-contemporary-nursing-risks-and-benefits/ (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

NHS Wales (2016) All Wales social media policy. Available at: phw.nhs.wales/about-us/policies-and-procedures/policies-and-procedures-documents/corporate-governance-communications-and-finance-policies/social-media-policy/ (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

Nursing and Midwifery Council (no date) Social media guidance. Available at: www.nmc.org.uk/standards/guidance/social-media-guidance/ (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

Jones R (2023) Social media: 5 ways it can benefit you (and 5 ways to protect yourself), Royal College of Nursing, 11 October. Available at: www.rcn.org.uk/magazines/Advice/2023/Oct/Social-media-5-ways-it-can-benefit-you-and-5-ways-to-protect-yourself (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

Social Care Wales (2019) Using social media responsibly. Available at: socialcare.wales/cms-assets/documents/Social-media-guidance-ENG2.pdf (Accessed 15th March 2024).

ACAS (no date) Social media in the workplace. Available at: www.acas.org.uk/archive/social-media-in-the-workplace (Accessed 15th March 2024).

Geraghty S, Hari R and Oliver K (2021) Using social media in contemporary nursing: risks and benefits, British Journal of Nursing, 30(18), pp. 1078–1082. Available at: www.britishjournalofnursing.com/content/professional/using-social-media-in-contemporary-nursing-risks-and-benefits/ (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

NHS Wales (2016) All Wales social media policy. Available at: phw.nhs.wales/about-us/policies-and-procedures/policies-and-procedures-documents/corporate-governance-communications-and-finance-policies/social-media-policy/ (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

Nursing and Midwifery Council (no date) Social media guidance. Available at: www.nmc.org.uk/standards/guidance/social-media-guidance/ (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

Jones R (2023) Social media: 5 ways it can benefit you (and 5 ways to protect yourself), Royal College of Nursing, 11 October. Available at: www.rcn.org.uk/magazines/Advice/2023/Oct/Social-media-5-ways-it-can-benefit-you-and-5-ways-to-protect-yourself (Accessed 15th March 2024). 

Social Care Wales (2019) Using social media responsibly. Available at: socialcare.wales/cms-assets/documents/Social-media-guidance-ENG2.pdf (Accessed 15th March 2024).