Social media and e-professionalism

Nurses must be aware of social media’s evolving culture, understand its ever-changing technology and have the professional judgment and decision making to use it appropriately as outlined in the Social Media: e-Professionalism for Nurses (2020) document from Alberta’s nursing colleges.

The College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA), the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) developed this document in collaboration to aid nurses in better understanding the importance of maintaining professionalism and making informed decisions when considering the use of any electronic form of communication.

Nurses should develop social media competence by knowing the risks and benefits of social media and incorporate the principles of social media e-professionalism into their practice, including patient/person free content, respect for the privacy of others, and maintaining professionalism at all times.