Social Media: The pitfalls and the potential

This article in the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal discusses the usefulness of social media using examples of Australian nursing blogger and twitter user Tara Nipe, and American nurse Brittney Wilson (thenerdynurse.com). It also discusses the problems with social media, such as invading patient privacy by photographing them using smart phones, becoming friends with patients on Facebook and discussing workplaces or placing testimonials online.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has released policies on social media as has the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). ANMF has also developed fact sheets on 'Social Media and Online Networking' and 'Advertising for Nurses and Midwives'.

This article is freely available to MNCLHD staff via the Library E-Journal link.Social Media: The pitfalls and the potential; Douglas, Kara. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal22(1) (Jul 2014): 24-28.