A social media presence is determined by the content we actively post on various social media platforms. The appropriateness of a social media presence can often depend on whether it is for professional or personal purposes. A personal social media account should be one that has no connection to your professional affiliations and professional presence online. It should be an account used to connect and share content with friends and family. An example of a personal social platform could be that of Facebook or Instagram. On the other hand, a professional social media account should be one used to connect and share content with colleagues, professors or workplace associates. The ideas and contents from personal social media accounts should not be affiliated with that of a professional social media account. An example of a professional platform could be that of LinkedIn. Unfortunately in this day and age, sometimes the line between a personal and professional social media presence is often blurred. This has made it very difficult to keep content posted on social media platforms private regardless of whether it is on a personal or professional platform. Therefore, we generally have to be mindful of what we share on all social media platforms. As a member of a profession that deals with maintaining patient’s privacy and confidentiality, I am always mindful to refrain from posting any information on social media platforms that directly relate to what I do at work as a nurse.
As a registered nurse practicing in Ontario, I am affiliated with nursing organizations such as the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). As a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario, I am provided with best practice guidelines and policies that protect me and the public. The College of Nurses of Ontario is the regulatory body for registered nurses, registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners practicing in Ontario (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2017). The CNO’s mandate is to regulate nursing practice in the interest of the public (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2018). The CNO nursing standards applies to all nurses regardless of their area of practice, job description or role (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2017). In order to adhere to the ethical framework for nursing in Ontario, ethical values such as fairness, truthfulness, patient well-being, patient choice, respecting life and privacy and confidentiality has to be applied (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2009). My response to the appropriateness of a social media presence reflects ethical frameworks in the manner in which I identified maintaining patient privacy and confidentially when posting on social media platforms.
In relation to the care and safety of my patients as a nursing professional, I do feel obligated to advocate for the needs of my patients in the workplace. It is a part of a nurses’ responsibility to speak-up when there are concerns about the care and well-being of patients while at the workplace. Our obligations as professionals should be done within the workplace field and not mixed up the personal beliefs or ideas. Therefore, I do not feel obligated to speak up in public, especially on social media platform about controversial content that may compromise my professional practice.
References
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). (2018). Mandatory reporting for employers, facility operators and nurses – A process guide. Retrieved from http://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/ih/42006_fsmandreporting.pdf
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). (2017). About the College of Nurses of Ontario. Retrieved from http://www.cno.org/en/what-is-cno/
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). (2009). Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41034_ethics.pdf
