Online Professionalism in Social Media and Engagement in Online Platforms
By Lauren E. Tickner and Reagann McVay
One topic I’ m especially passionate about is online professionalism. In today’ s digital world, the way we conduct ourselves online is an extension of our professional identity. As student nurses, it’ s vital that we uphold the responsibilities of our role, which includes how we present ourselves on social media and digital platforms. Professionalism is one of NSNA’ s core values and plays a significant role in how we shape our presence in the nursing profession.
According to the American Nurses Association, professional identity in nursing is defined as“ a sense of oneself, and in relation to others, that is influenced by characteristics, norms, and values of the nursing discipline, resulting in an individual thinking, acting, and feeling like a nurse.” Social media, when used wisely, can support the development of this identity by allowing us to engage with others, share meaningful content, and represent the nursing profession in a positive and impactful way.
I strongly encourage nursing students to consider creating a professional social media account— whether it’ s a personal profile, an account for your school’ s student nurses’ chapter, a state chapter, or a professional nursing organization. These accounts can serve as valuable tools for connection, advocacy, education, and networking. Social media enables us to engage with like-minded individuals, advocate for important causes, inform our communities about upcoming events, interact with nurses around the world, and stay current with developments in healthcare. Platforms like LinkedIn also offer opportunities to build your professional network and showcase your achievements.
It’ s important to remember that social media should reflect the professionalism we expect in clinical and academic settings. Every post reflects your personal values and any school / organization you may represent as well. Maintaining professionalism online means sharing credible content, avoiding inappropriate or unprofessional language or images, and being mindful of how others might perceive your posts. Your digital footprint can influence future job prospects and should leave a positive impression on colleagues, faculty, and potential employers.
Adhering to your school’ s or workplace’ s social media policy is critical. Many organizations have clear guidelines about what is appropriate to share publicly. And one rule is universal: never post patient information online. Even seemingly harmless details— such
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