The potential of social media and nursing education: E-professionalism, nurse educator–learner role, benefits and risks

Abstract

In the 21st century, continuous and evolving complex treatment needs required health professionals to be educated about using social media for their ethical and legal responsibilities that are more influenced. So, the learners should be adapting to become power users of education and demand up-to-date interesting models of teaching by using social media to encourage dialogue and self-efficacy. Using social media tools, such as Blogs, Twitter, Wikis, Facebook and YouTube in nursing education develops critical reflection skills, promotes life-long learning and supports decision-making skills. While the risks raise privacy concerns regarding the interactions among learners and between learners and educators. Hence, nurse educators and learners must be aware of e-professionalism when using social media, and how to separate their personal and professional life to communicate with peers, patients, family and friends. In this context, this paper reviews how social media impacts on nursing education, and the vital role of nurse educators and learner. Keywords: Nursing education, social media, e-professionalism, benefits of social media, risks of social media.