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

[Convoy2022_TrumpSupporter]

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.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

On 9/20/2020 at 7:35 PM, Nunya said:

The same reason people post about their volunteer activities, their church activities, their kids doing funny things.... it's your life and you want to share it with friends. 

 Have seen that info go down the tubes when an ex friend now your boss uses it against you.Best to be private as possible,one never knows life turns.

[A.A.I.]

I feel like this one person wants me to lose my job and for some reason maybe jealous I consider myself a successful nurse. This happens because I shared a photo of my 2week pay total and posted pics of me in my new scrubs etc. so because of that I feel like this person has taken advantage of my character since they kept mocking me. ? and I was generous about sharing it with them since this is a community service I do this for the community as a professional American I went to college and this is fair for me, would this person prefer me to lose my nursing job at 23. I’m not a doctor or a God and I wasn’t posting these things to hurt anyone I actually was posting to share my delight and be delightful to others. This guy who is mocking and stalking me is bad. I deleted my social media and I know that the tables will turn because my intentions were OK and I didn’t deserve to be treated so worthlessly (by the guy mocking me). I think you can post what u want because it’s all about your private life and those whom u want in it. I’m sure it’s amazing to see someone doing well for themselves! ❤️

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

6 hours ago, A.A.I. said:

I feel like this one person wants me to lose my job and for some reason maybe jealous I consider myself a successful nurse. This happens because I shared a photo of my 2week pay total and posted pics of me in my new scrubs etc. so because of that I feel like this person has taken advantage of my character since they kept mocking me. ? and I was generous about sharing it with them since this is a community service I do this for the community as a professional American I went to college and this is fair for me, would this person prefer me to lose my nursing job at 23. I’m not a doctor or a God and I wasn’t posting these things to hurt anyone I actually was posting to share my delight and be delightful to others. This guy who is mocking and stalking me is bad. I deleted my social media and I know that the tables will turn because my intentions were OK and I didn’t deserve to be treated so worthlessly (by the guy mocking me). I think you can post what u want because it’s all about your private life and those whom u want in it. I’m sure it’s amazing to see someone doing well for themselves! ❤️

I would never post anything related to pay, period. Absolutely no ones business, no matter how proud you are. There are crazy kooks out there that troll, waiting to rob/steal, commit whatever crime. Never, ever issue the invitation

[turtlesRcool]

On 9/20/2020 at 7:35 PM, Nunya said:

The same reason people post about their volunteer activities, their church activities, their kids doing funny things.... it's your life and you want to share it with friends.  I don't post anything about nursing though occasionally I will state that I am a nurse when answering questions but why not post something good you're doing?  If people are your friends then they should be happy to hear it, especially nowadays.

Yeah, if people will take a picture of the meal they ordered in a restaurant and post it, I see no reason not to take a picture of themselves at work.

I have not personally posted work selfies, though I did DM one of me in PPE to my SIL who was horribly worried about COVID and the lack of PPE during our surge last Spring.

Back in March and April, there were so many nurses in NYC and surrounding areas showing themselves in PPE and the marks on their faces after wearing N95s for a whole shift.  Those, to me, were about public awareness of how devastating the virus was and how much people were sacrificing to fight it.  There are still people who will tell you COVID is "basically the flu" and no big deal, and those selfies are a way of saying "look at what I'm willing to do to keep people safe.  Would I be doing this to myself for something that's not a big deal?" 

[turtlesRcool]

14 hours ago, Leader25 said:

 Have seen that info go down the tubes when an ex friend now your boss uses it against you.Best to be private as possible,one never knows life turns.

I guess it depends on what you're posting.  I mostly post pictures of doing stuff with my kids or the dog.  I'm pretty certain no one can use a picture of a hike in the woods against me.

[misha]

On 9/20/2020 at 12:26 AM, DribbleKing97 said:

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.

I personally find it annoying but I don’t exactly see what could be considered “inappropriate” about it as long as they are respecting patient privacy. It’s just human nature to show off sometimes, not really a big deal imo. I doubt that it’s the main reason they became nurses/nursing students. 

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't post a picture of your pay stub for safety reasons and because it can appear insensitive to those who don't make as much or have lost their jobs during covid and are struggling. There are other essential workers like housekeeping, phlebotomists, CNAs, etc who don't make as much as nurses and it seems disrespectful to them. But if it makes you feel good to post a picture in PPE or scrubs and talk about how proud you are to be a nurse, seems fine to me!

[EternalFeather]

Doctors do it! A LOT!  Why can't nurses? Nurses, we need representation!

Nursing field as a whole, worldwide needs to change this stoic, martyrism, strict as a nun attitude. We shouldnt hate or feel different toward nurses who are active on social media. We need different attention besides the unthanked angels/heroes, "not smart/good enough to be a doctor", etc...

Let's be honest... A lot of other nurses dislike the social media active nurses because of so many reasons but more commonly because they have confidence, tend to be younger and attractive. Yes, some are just jealous. LOL

We have to embrace social media. Lets us have some form of therapeutic release, have various interactions with people and have fun with creativity in whatever we post or share. It will help non medical people understand nurses, and be willing to hear us out, and represent us and hopefully help reform laws that will impact patient care, nurse work safety and all that jazz.

I am happy there are a lot of nurses on social media. As long as they don't violate HIPAA, bully, spread problematic information, hate speeches, or any negative messages,... I am all for it.

 

[Joe V]

Being active on social media is like driving a car. If you don't know how to use it you will crash.

Learn how to use it and you'll do just fine.

For those who do use social media, share your tips!

FIGHT CLUB RULES

RULE #1: Don't talk about patients. ?

HIPAA! HIPAA! HIPAA! The more you know about HIPAA the better off you'll be in your career.

If you don't, you'll end up with a smackdown (and could possibly end your membership in the club).

RULE #2: Figure out what you want out of social media. 

I find that most people get caught up with the social media successes of others. They mimic what others are doing without thinking of the consequences.

This tip is about finding what you want to do with your facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts. What is your end goal?

Do you just want to share with friends and family?

Do you want to inform / teach?

Do you want to become an influencer?

Once you figure this out set your privacy settings according to your goals. There's no reason why the public should see your posts if all you want to do is share with friends and family.

RULE #3: Always stay positive.

This is something that I lived by since I started browsing the WEB (90's)....

If you are about to post something negative STOP, walk away from your device, and do the hokey pokey dance.

In all seriousness, just focus on something else.

If you stick with Rule #3 throughout your career, you will never have any regrets. You will never be harmed by anything you posted X years ago.

? Have any tips? Add them below... 

[SmilingBluEyes]

I would just scroll on and not worry about what others do. But that is me.

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I admit to caving and taking some pictures for the instagram of the company who sent me clothes to take pics in. I am having such a hard time with my unit going back to almost all covid and staying away from my family and friends that I feel I need the serotonin/dopamine rush of feeling attractive for one day since I spend almost every day in PPE, my hair a mess under a cap and my face/body entirely covered.

When there is nothing else to cheer you up, maybe enjoying some "likes" is OK? As long as you don't become obsessed or tie it to your self worth, etc. and you recognize why you're doing it. Who knows, all I know is I have to survive 2020 somehow LOL 

P.S. the company is about women's empowerment/women owned businesses, no scandalous pics or supporting companies my job would fire me for LOL

[CamperNurse, ADN, RN]

I know this has been said already but, here is my 2 cents:

If you are not violating HIPAA,

If you do not post information that could result in someone figuring out something they shouldn't and, thus, a HIPAA violation,

If what you post is ethical,

If all work-related posts are professional (probably best to keep all posts professional),

And if you are not posting at the expense of doing your work (ie no posting unless you are on break), 

Then who cares. Social media and the like are not going anywhere. It is best to learn how to do it correctly (ie safely and responsibly) or not at all if it is not your thing. Not everyone who posts on social media is trying to grandstand or fill a deep-seated need for attention. It is just another way to share your life with others.