Case Study, Chapter 13, The Use of Social Media in Nursing: Pitfalls and Opportunities

Two registered professional nurses are attending a meeting where the focus is examining teaching methods that enable them to share information with newly diagnosed diabetic patients. One nurse initiates a discussion on the use of social media in teaching patients and the use of social media for all health care providers.

1. Discuss actions the nurse should take before using social media as a teaching tool.

2. What types of social media could benefit health care providers and patients?

3. What are the pitfalls to utilizing social media for both patients and health care providers?

Answer  preview

Due to advancements in technology, social media is becoming an increasingly effective communication used by even health care. However, using social media comes with a lot of responsibility. There is a thin line between proficiency and personal online etiquette when nurses engage in chat rooms, blogs, and public forums.  As a nurse, one has to be careful when disclosing some information to the internet. A nurse should ensure that the information they are disclosing on social media does not harm the patient. According to the NCSBN, a nurse should only share information about a patient with the patient’s consent. Any breach of trust between patient-nurse relationships has a damaging reputation on the nursing profession (Dickison, Haerling, & Lasater, 2019). Also, nurses should never identify their employers when posting on social media neither say something they cannot say in front of their boss concerning a patient.

428 words