Is it appropriate to "show off" that you are a Nurse on social media?

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Specializes in ACE.

I have friends who are Nurses and friends who are Student Nurses.

Student Nurses:

I see them always posting on their story either IG or SC, about the medications they learned that day, them being able do a health assessment showing off their stethoscope, showing their skills all through social media.

Friends that are Nurses:

they always posting stories of themselves in full PPE at work obviously not showing other staff or their workplace due to confidentiality, showing off that they are working night shifts and stuff etc...

I may be exaggerating, but I always thought of this career as very rewarding being able to impact peoples lives in a positive non religious way. I never thought or have shown off on social media for privacy reasons, and to always respect the profession. I see nowadays people in my generation using Nursing as a way to glorify themselves and such.

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Specializes in school nurse.

I think that a lot of people overshare pretty much everything on social media, so nursing is just one subject amongst many. If folks pimp out the nursing aspects of their lives thinking that they're glorifying themselves, well, they've watched too much TV.

I miss the concept of privacy.

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I suspect your friends are very young and excited in a little kid way. "Look at me; I am a nurse". I tend to be forgiving of that kind of thing if people maintain privacy and don't go overboard in wanting attention and validation.

Eventually the novelty fades. Most people outgrow that phase and become a little more strategic in what they post. 

Personally, I don't post anything work-related, but if social media was around when I was younger, I might have been like your student nurse friends. 

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

Some people share things because they are proud of stuff they are learning.  I see people post pictures of their cooking that they are proud of. Gardening. Building. A whole host of things they are doing to be proud of.

I find that with Covid, sometimes I share more, even a pic or two of me in work PPE because I have actual people on my friends list that downplay the virus that I watch kill my patients. I try to not post stuff that displays where I work, but I do answer if people ask me.

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I shared a picture of me and my work friend in our Covid gear at the beginning of Covid.  I’m friends with all of my coworkers on social media and I share funny memes I see.  My social media is very locked to down to anyone outside of my circle.  I am not searchable on Google or social media.  
 

I don’t see the issue.  Everyone that knows me knows I’m a nurse.  I’m not friends with strangers on social media.

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Let me also state, nursing is a job to me.  I’m not there for some ultra rewarding experience.  I like being a nurse.  I love medicine.  I love trying to fix my patients.  But it’s a job.  It’s not my life.  It’s how I pay for my life.  

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Specializes in IMC.

The student nurses I understand. They are giddy and excited about Nursing School; however, I find some of my nurse FB friends post a little annoying especially when all they post is nurse related things. All. the. time. It is in their name and any comment is "well, I am a nurse blah, blah, blah." I have had to snooze people because of this.  I have other social media friends who do not say a word about being an RN or how their shift is going. I am like that. I find the PPE posts to be a little tiresome. Why would you get dressed  up in hot PPE and then take a selfie. I have a FB friend that post daily PPE photos and then states how busy they are. you cannot be that busy if you can take the time to don PPE and take the "perfect" selfie. You aren't as busy as you say you are. I don't get it. I believe not saying anything about work related stuff as an RN is the smartest thing anyone could do. Sorry for the rant. I find BR pics and PPE selfies to be pretty annoying. Just go to work and be the best nurse you can be! 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I believe it may just be a passing novelty thing. Over enthusiasm. Way back when I was the newbie, the 'net wasn't a thing yet, but the novelty 'toys' & things were.

I had the self-proclaiming nurse t-shirts, nurse coffee mugs, a nurse doll and porcelain figurines (one Precious Moments and one expen$I've Lladro piece), nurse stationery, nurse wall posters, my steth visibly hanging on my sun visor and my cap/cap case sitting on my front seat. I even had special nurse bank checks. And I still have a Flo Nightingale pledge plaque hanging on a wall.

The novelty soon passes after a while. But I'd have concerns today with the status of social media being omnipresent & all-knowing. Once posted, nothing ever disappears!!

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Specializes in ACE.
31 minutes ago, Salisburysteak said:

The student nurses I understand. They are giddy and excited about Nursing School; however, I find some of my nurse FB friends post a little annoying especially when all they post is nurse related things. All. the. time. It is in their name and any comment is "well, I am a nurse blah, blah, blah." I have had to snooze people because of this.  I have other social media friends who do not say a word about being an RN or how their shift is going. I am like that. I find the PPE posts to be a little tiresome. Why would you get dressed  up in hot PPE and then take a selfie. I have a FB friend that post daily PPE photos and then states how busy they are. you cannot be that busy if you can take the time to don PPE and take the "perfect" selfie. You aren't as busy as you say you are. I don't get it. I believe not saying anything about work related stuff as an RN is the smartest thing anyone could do. Sorry for the rant. I find BR pics and PPE selfies to be pretty annoying. Just go to work and be the best nurse you can be! 

Agree 100%. To me its just disgraceful. This career isn't about showboating but about helping people. Like why would you wanna show off you are helping people in their most vulnerable state?

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Specializes in IMC.
4 minutes ago, DribbleKing97 said:

Agree 100%. To me its just disgraceful. This career isn't about showboating but about helping people. Like why would you wanna show off you are helping people in their most vulnerable state?

I believe it comes from insecurity within themselves. I also wonder if some of these people are looking for likes, and want to be influencers on social media. I don't know. I am glad I am not the only one who is tired of it. 

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

Social media is a big big deal - for ALL professions. Nursing schools and hospitals are figuring out how to leveredge it to their advantage. Those nursing students are likely being encouraged to post what they do.  Quite honestly, I think nursing, as a profession, should make the most of social media - it's here to stay.  We do ourselves no favors by being the quiet, subservient handmaidens to the physicians and others (who are also posting on social media) - for some kind of 'honor'.  Also, the "I'm-too-cool-to-be-excited-to-be-a-nurse" thing is tiresome.  And I'm a (sorta) old nurse.  I have every reason to be jaded and suspicious and tired, - but I try not to be - that is not who I want to be, ever.   And, I post very little on social media about being a nurse,  but I'm not going to knock it.

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3 hours ago, DribbleKing97 said:

Agree 100%. To me its just disgraceful. This career isn't about showboating but about helping people. Like why would you wanna show off you are helping people in their most vulnerable state?

I’m proud of the fact that I can do that.  Not everyone can.

I know you are new to the field, but truly, if this is your thought process, I see extreme burnout happening quickly.  Having such a rigid, altruistic view will not bode well for longevity in this field.  

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