Why Nurses Need to be Cautious When Posting Online

• Nurses need to keep in mind HIPAA, employer policies, and more when posting online about their work in the healthcare field.
• A recent study from the Journal of Nursing Regulation found that nurses have “different levels of understanding” when it comes to what’s appropriate to post online.
• There have been multiple instances in which nurses posted to social media and were penalized as a result. 

There’s no shortage of nursing industry influencers across the social media sphere. But creating a public persona for a world filled with privacy concerns requires a calculated approach in order to keep your career (and your patients) safe. 

The same applies to the average nurse who posts on personal accounts intended for family and friends. 

Despite the proliferation of influencers, meme accounts, and the commonplace practice of airing grievances virtually, a recent study from the Journal of Nursing Regulation found that nurses have “different levels of understanding” when it comes to what’s appropriate to post online. 

Diving into the Details

Most healthcare organizations have long-established social media policies, but those rarely address using personal devices and social channels outside of work to discuss their work, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). 

But the Journal of Nursing Regulation study concluded that more education is needed among nurses “regarding professional guidelines, expectations, laws, and employer policies.” 

North State Law reminded nurses in September that violating HIPAA on social media can lead to professional discipline, legal action, or financial penalties. 

“By maintaining professionalism and prioritizing patient confidentiality, nurses can harness the benefits of social media while minimizing risks,” the law firm stated. “For more information on this topic, consider reaching out to legal professionals or exploring resources available through nursing organizations.” 

NCSBN offers tips to help nurses avoid sharing confidential information online, including: 

• Strict privacy settings for your accounts are not enough to ensure privacy. 
• Never disparage patients, employers, or coworkers. 
• Don’t speak on behalf of your employer unless authorized. 

Consequences of Posting Online

Brad McDowell, an emergency room nurse in Maryland, was let go earlier this year after questioning the validity of required implicit bias training. McDowell told Fox 26 News in March that he had concerns about material for the state-mandated training and felt like he didn’t have a “good avenue to take it up to senior leadership.” So he shared his thoughts online. Five days later, he was unemployed. 

“I was hurt,” McDowell told the local media outlet. “I really enjoyed what I was doing, and I really enjoyed the team that I was working with.” 

Two years earlier, four Emory University Hospital Midtown nurses participated in the TikTok “Ick Challenge,” inciting backlash and prompting the facility to issue a statement that referred to the nurses as “former” employees. 

An analysis of nurses who achieved “microcelebrity” status on Instagram found that the content published is largely positive, but “multiple potential privacy, ethical, and professional issues were noted throughout the posted content.” It also noted that there’s a policy gap related to nurses who have achieved some social media notoriety.

“Given the rapid evolution of social media, it is imperative that both education and policy initiatives make efforts to maintain relevancy as related to new usages of these kinds of technology, including nurses who actively use these platforms to seek web-based microcelebrity status.” 

The Bottom Line

Nursing influencers are the norm in today’s society — much like in other high-profile industries. But within healthcare, privacy violations need to be top of mind. Some social media users, even the everyday user who has not gained internet fame, have been penalized for sharing their thoughts online. Nurses must remember to follow their employers’ social media policies and exercise extreme caution when sharing anything work-related. 

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