Guidelines for Using Electronic and Social Media: The Regulatory Perspective

Spector, Nancy; Kappel, Dawn

doi:10.3912/ojin.vol17no03man01

Cited by 56Social Media in Health EducationNursing Education, Practice, and LeadershipHealthcare Regulation

Guidelines for Using Electronic and Social Media: The Regulatory Perspective

Spector, Nancy, Kappel, Dawn·2012·OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing

DOI 10.3912/ojin.vol17no03man01

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Abstract

Social media can be a very effective way of communicating in nursing, but guidelines for appropriate use by healthcare providers are essential. This article briefly introduces the phenomenon of social media and introduces three actual scenarios where nurses unintentionally violated appropriate use of social media in healthcare. The scenarios are discussed related to social media, career, concerns, and nursing regulation. Incorporating these and other examples with data from board of nursing cases, the nature of complaints against nurses is explored as well as common myths and misunderstandings about using social media platforms. Guidelines for appropriate use by nurses and available resources to inform policy are highlighted. Next steps in social media in nursing should include development of organizational level policies and educational programs on the use of social media.

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The consequences in the breach of privacy in the nursing profession can be severe and may lead to civil or criminal penalties.
“The consequences in the breach of privacy in the nursing profession can be severe and may lead to civil or criminal penalties [166].”
From Dangers and Benefits of Social Media on E-Professionalism of Health Care Professionals: Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [166]

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Authors: Spector, N., & Kappel, D.
Venue: OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
Publisher: American Nurses Association
Published: 2012-09-30
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Pages: 1-1
ISSN: 1091-3734 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3912/ojin.vol17no03man01
OpenAlex: W205150086
Cited by: 56
References: 10
Citations by year: 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3
FWCI: 4.37
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: OJIN The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
Health Sciences › Nursing › Issues, ethics and legal aspects › Nursing Education, Practice, and Leadership
Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Healthcare Regulation
Keywords: social media, nurses, professional conduct, nursing regulation, nursing complaints, organizational policy, social media policy, professional education
MeSH terms: Confidentiality, Humans, Nursing, United States, Violence, Guidelines as Topic, Privacy, Professional Misconduct, Blogging, Social Media

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Guidelines for Using Electronic and Social Media: The Regulatory Perspective

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