Introduction
The advancement in digitalization has significantly impacted how people share information. The growing use of social media is a common phenomenon even among practitioners who have influenced communication with friends and workmates. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp are some of the channels frequently used by nurses to share information on core issues, including their work practices, relationship matters, and sensitive details. Based on nursing work ethics, some posts may be considered inappropriate. The research will uncover one of my Twitter posts that I believe did not align with the professional standards of nursing.
Personal Posts/Conversations
Over the past few years, I have frequently used Twitter to view, post, and even contribute to various conversations. When reviewing some of the topics I engaged in, I noted one that I believe violated the professional standards of nursing. The topic of discussion during that specific post entailed unwelcoming nurse managers in the workplace (Wang et al., 2019). As I was still new to the current workplace and not yet fully adapted to the system, I perceived the administration as a hindrance and was less concerned about the welfare of care providers. Therefore, when I came across the topic, I took it as an opportunity to express what I have been going through.
To make matters worse, I even mentioned the clinic’s name and quoted the specific department. Upon reviewing the post, I realized it displayed a high level of unprofessionalism. Instead of commenting on the post, I would have gone directly to the nurse leader and expressed my concern more professionally and composedly.
Nursing Standard of Conduct
Generally, in nursing practice, it is the nurses’ responsibility to adhere to the stated standards of conduct that govern the profession and their personal lives. The aspect of accountability is essential because it facilitates the protection of patients’ privacy. For instance, once a practitioner has diagnosed and collected information about a patient’s health, revealing the details to another uninvolved party, especially posting on social media, violates HIPAA (Moore & Frye, 2020).
Therefore, following the stipulated professional standards of nursing makes it easier for physicians to avoid such personal misconduct (Schmidt & McArthur, 2018). At a personal level, gossiping about the respective patient is considered unprofessional and unethical. Practitioners must ensure that they maintain and practice the required standards in their profession.
Analysis of Personal Social Media
In nursing practice, Christian values are embraced, and all engagements aim to improve the value while respecting the dignity of each person. Based on my social media posts, I do not include content that can violate human dignity. I usually participate in discussions about sensitive topics that promote hope and encourage perseverance.
Furthermore, despite various patient assessments I undertake, I do not post the results online, which implies significant respect for the sick individuals. In addition, I tend to withdraw from conversations that stereotype people based on their ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds because I perceive them as inappropriate. According to the analysis of my postings, I need to improve on the protest aspect. I tend to complain about issues when I feel they directly affect people.
Conclusion
The emergence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram has provided an easy way to express one’s views. Even though practitioners can use the platforms, they are mandated to protect the standard of care to avoid violating HIPAA. Analyzing my Twitter post, I realized I had breached the professional standards of nursing by disclosing a sensitive matter without proper procedure. Despite the freedom and ease of communication facilitated by social platforms, practitioners must be responsible for ensuring that they adopt ethical conduct at both personal and professional levels to improve care outcomes.
References
Moore, W., & Frye, S. (2020). Review of HIPAA, part 2: limitations, rights, violations, and role for the imaging technologist. Journal of nuclear medicine technology, 48(1), 17-23. Web.
Schmidt, B. J., & McArthur, E. C. (2018). Professional nursing values: A concept analysis. In A. P. Tavares et al. (Eds.), Nursing forum (Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 69-75). Web.
Wang, Z., Wang, S., Zhang, Y., & Jiang, X. (2019). Social media usage and online professionalism among registered nurses: A cross-sectional survey. International journal of nursing studies, 98, 19-26. Web.