In today’s digital world, social media is a great tool for communication, learning, and networking among healthcare professionals. As nurses, it allows us to share experiences, learn from others, and build a community with peers near and far. However, using social media comes with risks, as seen in 2014 when a nurse in New York was let go for sharing a photo of an empty trauma room on her Facebook, breaking her hospital's social media rules. This incident shows the importance of understanding and following social media guidelines to avoid unwanted risks.

Nurses play a crucial role in maintaining healthcare cybersecurity. Our close connection with patients and deep understanding of healthcare workflows puts us in a unique position to spot and address cybersecurity issues. A study in 2016 showed that 94% of healthcare agencies faced internal and external cyberattacks on patient data, highlighting our critical role in healthcare cybersecurity​​. Interestingly, a survey found that 87% of nurses are on social media, making it a common platform that needs cybersecurity awareness​. Yet, only 20% of 1,921 nurses surveyed use social media to follow healthcare topics at work, showing a big gap in using these platforms securely for professional growth and engagement​.

Keeping It Professional and Private

Professionalism is key in nursing, and that extends to social media. A casual post or comment can negatively impact our professional image. Knowing how to use privacy settings on social media platforms helps control who sees our content, keeping our online presence professional. It's also crucial to follow laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to keep patient information private. Training on recognizing sensitive information and the risks of sharing it on social media is essential.

Building a Culture of Cybersecurity Awareness

The online world is full of phishing scams and fraudulent activities, often hidden in plain sight. One wrong click on a malicious link can lead to significant data breaches. Continuous learning on spotting and avoiding cybersecurity threats is important. Also, sharing only verified information from reputable sources helps prevent the spread of misinformation.

To dive deeper into this topic, check out a video by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) on Social Media Guidelines for Nurses. This video offers practical advice and real-world scenarios, helping build a culture of cybersecurity awareness and ethical social media use within our nursing community.

By actively promoting cybersecurity awareness and following clear social media guidelines, we can enjoy the benefits of social media while reducing cyber risks, and ensuring a safe and responsible online experience.

References:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2155825620300144

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32049701/

• https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/10-statistics-on-nurses-use-of-social-media.html

• https://www.ncsbn.org/video/social-media-guidelines-for-nurses