Professional Accountability and the Use of Social Media in Nursing
Stop and think about a particular time when a colleague or co-worker abandoned an important task or used bad judgement but did not accept responsibility for it. Did that individual’s actions or words end up negatively affecting relationships with others? Now think about how exercising accountability with one another can inspire others to become more successful and competent. The ANA’s Code of Ethics explains that accountability is “to be answerable to oneself and others for one’s own actions” (Battie & Steelman, 2014). For healthcare professionals being accountable creates trust among others, reduces fear and anxiety, and enhances team morale and productivity (Battie & Steelman, …show more content…
A nurse should always protect patients by safeguarding medical records, data, and other confidential information (ANA, 2015). According to the ANA’s Scope and Standards of Practice handbook, nurses should exercise compassion and show respect for the dignity of all people while demonstrating professional accountability and accepting responsibilities of nursing practice (ANA, 2015). All healthcare providers should show dignity and respect while communicating and sharing feedback with each other as well (ANA, 2015). Every nurse should be aware and attentive to employer policies, rules, and regulations especially social media guidelines. The ANA’s Code of Ethics now specifically refers to social media platforms and explains that it is “the nurse’s duty to maintain vigilance in postings, images, recordings, or commentary that intentionally or unintentionally breach the duty to maintain privacy and confidentiality” (Westrick, …show more content…
On the other hand, for a registered nurse social media platforms can provide resources for continuing professional development and increasing nursing competency (Yaldren, 2014). Lastly, individuals that follow a variety of important social media accounts, such as healthcare organizations or distinguished professionals, that share important information involving the evidence-based nursing practices, rules and regulation changes, new medical or research breakthroughs can help spread valuable knowledge and continuously excel the profession of nursing (Yaldren,
Stop and think about a particular time when a colleague or co-worker abandoned an important task or used bad judgement but did not accept responsibility for it. Did that individual’s actions or words end up negatively affecting relationships with others? Now think about how exercising accountability with one another can inspire others to become more successful and competent. The ANA’s Code of Ethics explains that accountability is “to be answerable to oneself and others for one’s own actions” (Battie & Steelman, 2014). For healthcare professionals being accountable creates trust among others, reduces fear and anxiety, and enhances team morale and productivity (Battie & Steelman, …show more content…
A nurse should always protect patients by safeguarding medical records, data, and other confidential information (ANA, 2015). According to the ANA’s Scope and Standards of Practice handbook, nurses should exercise compassion and show respect for the dignity of all people while demonstrating professional accountability and accepting responsibilities of nursing practice (ANA, 2015). All healthcare providers should show dignity and respect while communicating and sharing feedback with each other as well (ANA, 2015). Every nurse should be aware and attentive to employer policies, rules, and regulations especially social media guidelines. The ANA’s Code of Ethics now specifically refers to social media platforms and explains that it is “the nurse’s duty to maintain vigilance in postings, images, recordings, or commentary that intentionally or unintentionally breach the duty to maintain privacy and confidentiality” (Westrick, …show more content…
On the other hand, for a registered nurse social media platforms can provide resources for continuing professional development and increasing nursing competency (Yaldren, 2014). Lastly, individuals that follow a variety of important social media accounts, such as healthcare organizations or distinguished professionals, that share important information involving the evidence-based nursing practices, rules and regulation changes, new medical or research breakthroughs can help spread valuable knowledge and continuously excel the profession of nursing (Yaldren,