Technology is constantly evolving, and new social media platforms are arising. In the 21st century, technology has infiltrated all ways of life: relationships, healthcare, education, and many other avenues that we embark on every day. While it is important for everyone to be cautious with online platforms and sharing, people within the Healthcare field require an added layer of cautiousness and privacy, this caution must be upheld at all times. When one’s title gets the addition of “health-care worker” they wear that title 24/7 and must filter things that are said and posted online. Often times, when people use social media, they are posting about things that they haven’t put much thought into, which can sometimes result in bad outcomes.  

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As a health care worker, especially nurses there is a heightened level of trust that the community has for them. People put their lives in the hands of nurses and follow the education provided by them. The life of a nurse is constant so even off the clock, nurses must ensure that they sensor the things said and posted online. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA] of 1996 is a federal law created to ensure the privacy of patients and their information (CDC, 2022). HIPAA covers discussing of patient information while at work with other health care staff, posting of information about work, possible identifiers of patients, and pictures taken of patients or things that may lead to a patient. It is important that staff stay vigilant for things that may hinder the privacy and security of patients. If a breach in confidentiality and privacy occurs, staff will be held liable and are subject to possible disciplinary or legal action from the patient or the health care facility.  

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In the instant when patients have a breach in privacy due to the fault of the nurse, they would be reported the Board of Nursing. Depending on the circumstances that the information was leaked, they could receive legal charges such as unprofessional conduct, breach of confidentiality or mismanagement of patient information (Westrick, 2016). This event could determine termination of position for the nurse and potentially follow them for the rest of their career. In worst case scenarios the nurse is even subject to lose their license resulting in inability to practice in the future. Nurses and nursing students must recognize the importance of being aware of the impact that social media can have on their career and how imperative it is that they sensor information shared online. Just like nurses, student nurses are subject to legal action with breach of patient information. Not only does this reflect the student but also the school, there is potential for the School of Nursing [SON] to lose the relationship and clinical site with the facility.  

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Aside from the ethical and legal events that social media may lead to, it is also important to think about the information and ideas that are being put out to the public. When nurses post information about patients, discuss their frustrations, or even disclose hospital information on social media, it is instantly in the hands of a numerous people that could be interpreted in so many ways. Not only this, but when posting educational information with good intentions it will always be there, information ages and practices are always evolving so what may be current now may not be in a year’s time. With this in mind is, it imperative to watch what is posted because it may soon be inaccurate and cause harm to others. When a nurse or health care staff takes on the added title of “Influencer” there is a thin line of things able to be shared about their lives, products, and many other things. Just like HIPAA, there are laws with sharing information on products, in the instance that a person shares misinformation companies may be liable and it may lead to an investigation with the FDA (Bressler, 2021). As a nurse, it is their responsibility to do research and advocate for the best practices for patients, so outside of the job the task is still the same. Also, with putting yourself online you are also subject to anyone viewing your content that you may be unaware of. With information being put to the public, there are possibilities that patients or others may see things posted which can pose a conflict between nurse-patient relationship or they may not like the things posted. This can cause strain in the workplace due to conflict of ideas, interest or other issues that may arise. 

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In 2022, nurses were voted the most trusted occupation in the United States compared to other occupations (Gallup, 2022). It is an honor to have such a rewarding and trusted career by the community. In healthcare, nurses have many other titles such as: advocate, listener, counselor, teacher, and even possibly spiritual companion in times of prayer. It is important that not only on the clock, but outside of the workplace, that nurses sensor things that are shared online and said to ensure the confidentiality of patients information, but also to ensure that only correct and appropriate information is shared for others to see. Nurses must realize that the words they say, and things shown to the public eye, has a big impact on the thoughts of others. Social media is a big determinant in modern day times and once things are posted it is almost impossible to get things back or deleted. The thin line between social media and security of information is the person who determines what is shared and put online; it is important that as a nurse, personal and patient information is secure to prevent the harm of others. Not only is it hard to get things off of the internet, but once a nursing license is revoked it is hard, if possible, to get back. A nurse should not only protect their patients but also protect themselves from these instances of confidentiality breach.  

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Works Cited 

Brenan, Megan. (2023, Jan 10). Nurses Retain Top Ethics Rating in. U.S., but Below 2020 High. 

https://news.gallup.com/poll/467804/nurses-retain-top-ethics-rating-below-2020-

high.aspx 

Bressler, M. Y., Girard, A., Felice, S., Kiehlmeier, D., Blazey, W., & Zampella, J. G. (2021). 

Ethical and Legal Issues for Medical Professionals Using Social Media. Journal of Legal Medicine, 41, 5–8. https://doi-org.ezproxy.stthom.edu/10.1080/01947648.2021.1914471 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 27). Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html 

Gardner, J. M., & Allen, T. C. (2019). Keep Calm and Tweet On: Legal and Ethical

Considerations for Pathologists Using Social Media. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 143(1), 75–80. https://doi-org.ezproxy.stthom.edu/10.5858/arpa.2018-0313-SA

Kanchan, S., & Gaidhane, A. (2023). Social Media Role and Its Impact on Public Health: A 

Narrative Review. Cureus, 15(1), e33737. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33737 

Westrick, S. J. (2016). Nursing Students’ Use of Electronic and Social Media: Law, Ethics, and E-Professionalism. Nursing Education Perspectives (National League for Nursing), 37(1),

16–22. https://doi-org.ezproxy.stthom.edu/10.5480/14-1358 

Wojciechowski, M. (2019). New Technology Keeping It Ethical, Keeping It Legal. PT in Motion, 11(10), 30–39.