The University of Minnesota, School of Nursing upholds the American Nurses Association (ANA) Principles for Social Networking (2011). For more information, visit the ANA's page on Social Media at the link.
The ANA principles and tips to avoid problems are listed below:
Nurses must not transmit or place online individually identifiable patient information.
Nurses must observe ethically prescribed professional patient—nurse boundaries.
Nurses should understand that patients, colleagues, institutions, and employers may view postings.
Nurses should take advantage of privacy settings and seek to separate personal and professional information online.
Nurses should bring content that could harm a patient’s privacy, rights, or welfare to the attention of appropriate authorities.
Nurses should participate in developing institutional policies governing online conduct.
To Avoid Problems:
Remember that standards of professionalism are the same online as in any other circumstance.
Do not share or post information or photos gained through the nurse-patient relationship.
Maintain professional boundaries in the use of electronic media. Online contact with patients blurs this boundary.
Do not make disparaging remarks about patients, employers or co-workers, even if they are not identified.
Do not take photos or videos of patients on personal devices, including cell phones.
Promptly report a breach of confidentiality or privacy.
References
American Nurses Association. (2011). Principles for social networking and the nurse. Silver Spring, MD
National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2011, August). White Paper: A nurse’s guide to the use of social media. Chicago, IL