What is the CNO's stance on social media use by nurses?

The CNO emphasizes the importance of maintaining professionalism and protecting client confidentiality in the context of social media use by nurses. This guideline is critical as it aligns with the ethical and legal responsibilities of nurses to safeguard their clients' personal health information.

Social media has become a prevalent way to communicate and share information, but nurses must recognize that their online behavior can have implications for their professional reputation and the trust placed in them by clients. Specifically, maintaining professionalism means that nurses should only share content that reflects their commitment to ethical practice and should avoid engaging in discussions that could compromise client confidentiality or the integrity of their profession.

Furthermore, safeguarding client information is a fundamental principle of nursing practice. Sharing or discussing even non-identifiable client information on social media can lead to breaches of confidentiality and harm the therapeutic relationship between clients and healthcare providers. Therefore, the CNO's stance encourages nurses to navigate social media with caution, adhering to the established standards of practice to protect their clients and uphold the integrity of the nursing profession.