PLEASE REPHRASE. Who hasn’t heard of Facebook,

PLEASE REPHRASE. Who hasn’t heard of Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace, and similar sites? Nearly all websites of interest to nursing have blogs, nurses use Twitter, and YouTube is a perennial favorite. We use these sites to stay in touch and include each other in our busy lives. Social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn can help keep in touch with other professionals, join specific interest groups and network for professional opportunities. We can even educate each other or the public via these sites, such as using YouTube to learn about a procedure or check out what an ED nurse does. Learning new information and communicating with peers can keep us engaged in our profession, but even sharing this information has pitfalls. No matter how harmless it seems, you can be held accountable for any information you send into the world. Postings on Facebook and similar sites have cost nurses their jobs and could potentially cost the respect of the public in the long run. Social media shows how intelligent people can do and share foolish things. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, in a California ED, photos of an elderly trauma patient’s wounds were taken and posted on Facebook by staff.1 This story went viral and has been a topic of conversation since last year. There are other widespread stories involving photos of a patient’s X-rays, descriptions of injuries, and personal histories. What were the staff members thinking when they shared this information? In various blog postings and discussions, many nurses have commented that if there are no identifying elements in a post, it’s okay to post about patients. However, violators of private patient information are being prosecuted in increasing numbers and as headlines continue to illuminate this problem, employers and law enforcement will continue to respond to protect patients. Another pitfall of social media may occur from venting about your boss, your job, or your coworkers. It’s only natural to criticize one’s boss or gripe about your coworkers, but is a few moments of venting worth the risk of having your boss read what you wrote? Employers can become aware of your comments just like anyone else, and stories of firings due to comments tweeted and posted are becoming more common. Inappropriate use of social media can seriously derail your nursing career path or even eradicate your career. Responsible participation in social networking has become an essential part of the nursing profession, especially as a means of self-promotion. However, nursing boards are increasingly taking disciplinary action against nurses for improper use of electronic media, warns American Nurse Today. Posting anything that makes you, the medical facility you work at, or the nursing industry look bad could lead to reprimands, job loss, or nursing license suspension. Social media is a great way to network with colleagues, further your career, or promote public education. Still, when misused, it could reflect poorly on you and the nursing profession. Professional standards are the same online as offline, including the nursing code of ethics. According to the American Nursing Association’s Principles for Social Networking and the Nurse, sharing patient information online, even with their name removed, could trigger a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) violation and its associated penalties. You have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect your patient’s privacy and confidentiality, including never posting identifiable patient information.

******CLICK ORDER NOW BELOW AND OUR WRITERS WILL WRITE AN ANSWER TO THIS ASSIGNMENT OR ANY OTHER ASSIGNMENT, DISCUSSION, ESSAY, HOMEWORK OR QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE. OUR PAPERS ARE PLAGIARISM FREE*******."