Classes could ease concerns over nurses’ social media use

Nursing students may soon be taking classes in Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn if education providers heed advice from the authors of an article published in Nursing Informatics 2016 on the importance of social media training for undergrads.

University of Tasmania lecturer Carey Mather and her team said the growth of social media use has led to tension affecting the perception of nurses' professionalism in healthcare settings.

The team surveyed nursing students at the University of Tasmania about their social media use and found that they used a variety of media platforms for information, knowledge building and connection.

The authors said there is a need for the curriculum in nursing courses to include learning opportunities surrounding safe and appropriate social media use.

“Teaching undergraduate nursing students social media etiquette in a safe environment can ensure the next generation of health professionals develop and promote positive professional identity and professionalism regarding the use of digital technologies and social media,” they wrote.

Nursing Review sat down with Mather to discuss the problems that have arisen in this space and the aspects of social media the classes should home in on.

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