The Purpose Of This Assignment Is To Evaluate Personal And P
The Purpose Of This Assignment Is To Evaluate Personal And Professiona
The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate personal and professional accountability in the context of social media. Social media plays a significant role in modern society and is now a common tool used by individuals and organizations alike to evaluate a person's values, authenticity, and reputation. Additionally, social media is now considered a mainstream part of the process for recruiting and hiring candidates for employment. Inappropriate or unprofessional conduct on social media can pose legal problems for nurses as well as damage public trust in nursing.
For this assignment, log in to each social media platform for which you have an account. Review your profile and most recent activity including pictures and posts. If you do not have a social media account, access one of the following social media platforms in order to view the social media posts and activities of others: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok. Reflect on the information and content you and others post on a daily basis. In words, summarize your findings. Include the following in your summary: Describe the posts, conversations, and images you evaluated.
Does the activity on social media appear to align with your personal values and the professional values of your discipline? Would family, friends, and colleagues consider the posts, conversations, and images authentic and representative of who you are as unique individuals? Does the activity on social media respect the human value and dignity of others as reflected in Christian values? Discuss why nurses have a responsibility to uphold a standard of conduct consistent with professional values, regulatory requirements, and workplace policies in both personal and professional interactions. Include a discussion of how personal conduct can violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 or be considered unethical and unprofessional.
Provide an example to support your answer.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 6.1, 8.1, 8.5, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 10.2.
Paper For Above instruction
In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of personal and professional identity. Its pervasive influence calls for nurses and other healthcare professionals to maintain a high standard of conduct that reflects both personal integrity and professional accountability. This paper explores the importance of self-awareness on social media, its alignment with professional nursing values, and the ethical obligations nurses have in safeguarding patient confidentiality and upholding human dignity.
Assessment of Personal and Others’ Social Media Content
To evaluate personal and peer social media activity, I reviewed my profiles across various platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. My posts predominantly consisted of family activities, community involvement, and personal achievements. The tone was generally respectful, positive, and reflective of my values. I also examined content from accounts of colleagues and friends, noting a wide range of posts, from casual comments to more personal opinions. The images shared often involved social gatherings, celebrations, and occasionally, controversial topics. Overall, the activities on my social media accounts aligned with my personal values of honesty, respect, and community service, though some posts by others occasionally lacked awareness regarding professional boundaries.
Reflection on Authenticity and Professionalism
Most of my social media activity would be considered authentic by family and friends, as it presents a genuine reflection of my life and values. However, some professional acquaintances might view certain personal posts as inappropriate for the public sphere, highlighting the importance of maintaining boundaries. Regarding the reflection of Christian values, many posts demonstrated kindness, compassion, and respect for others, although occasional comments by others could be seen as less considerate. The overarching lesson is that online activity should consistently mirror human dignity and respect, aligning with Christian principles of loving one's neighbor and showing compassion.
Nurses’ Responsibility in Social Media Conduct
As healthcare providers, nurses have an ethical and professional obligation to uphold standards that promote trustworthiness, confidentiality, and respect. The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics emphasizes the nurse’s duty to maintain patient privacy, avoid conflicts of interest, and conduct themselves professionally both offline and online. Inappropriate conduct, such as sharing identifiable patient information or making disparaging remarks about colleagues or patients, can violate professional standards and regulatory requirements. For example, posting a photo from a clinical setting including patient identifiers or discussing confidential cases on social media would breach HIPAA regulations, potentially leading to legal action and loss of licensure.
Importance of Professional Conduct and Ethical Principles
Upholding professional conduct on social media extends beyond compliance; it reflects a nurse’s integrity and dedication to the dignity of human life. The principles of beneficence, autonomy, and justice underscore the importance of respecting others’ privacy and promoting a culture of respect. Nurses must recognize the impact of their online actions, ensuring that their conduct does not undermine public trust or the reputation of the nursing profession. Ethical lapses online, such as sharing sensitive information or engaging in disrespectful discussions, compromise the core values that underpin nursing ethics.
Conclusion: Ethical Responsibility in Digital Engagement
In conclusion, social media requires nurses to be vigilant about their digital footprints. Self-awareness and reflection are essential to ensure that online activities are consistent with personal, societal, and professional values. Adhering to ethical principles, including respect for human dignity and confidentiality, is fundamental in safeguarding the nurse’s professional integrity. Recognizing the potential for unintentional violations of laws like HIPAA emphasizes the importance of ongoing education and awareness about social media best practices. Ultimately, nurses’ commitment to ethical digital behavior enhances public trust in the nursing profession and affirms their role as guardians of health and human dignity.
References
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
- Fry, S., & Veatch, R. M. (2018). Bioethics: A philosophical introduction. Georgetown University Press.
- Moorhead, S. et al. (2013). Nursing outcomes classification (NOC): Measurement of patient outcomes. Assessment Technology in Nursing, 44(3), 124-128.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2018). White paper: A nurse's guide to the use of social media. NCSBN.
- Schoenfeld, E., & Kaffenberger, L. (2016). Social media and healthcare: Understanding the impact. Journal of Medical Practice Management, 32(5), 254-257.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2020). HIPAA overview. HHS.gov.
- Wartman, S., & Combs, C. (2016). Professionalism in the social media age. Academic Medicine, 91(3), 297-300.
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- Whitehead, C. R., & Klein, L. (2021). Ethical dilemmas and legal issues in nursing social media use. Nursing Ethics, 28(1), 45-55.