The Juxtaposition of Implementing A Social Media Policy While Encouraging Its Use In A School of Nursing.
Abstract: As social media and its uses continue to develop, so do its risks and benefits within both the educational and healthcare contexts. Faculty are in a unique situation, upholding professional standards, teaching about patient privacy and enforcing policy violations should they occur. Nursing students are preparing for a profession, which provides services to a public that expects and requires high standards of behaviour. However, educators also have a responsibility to encourage student to use social media to the best of its ability. Technological competencies for nursing education are developed to ensure students are prepared to practice in complex environments (CASN, 2011). Changing pedagogy includes creative uses of social media platform, allowing students to use a variety of tools to meet course outcomes and ensuring students learn to safely use technology. The plan of instituting a social media policy while encouraging its use within a University in Canada will be discussed.