Social media can be very useful for nurses. It presents opportunities to make professional contacts and allows you to network. Social media also provides you with opportunities to communicate with experts in your field and improve your skills. However, when you become a nurse, you will always be a nurse, and what you say can lead to your license being taken away. A nurse defense lawyer can help you understand what to do if your nursing license is being threatened by your social media activity.
Breaching Patient Confidentiality Rules
One of the biggest concerns for nurses on social media is nurse-patient confidentiality. The medical records of a patient are confidential, but it's natural for anyone to want to share the details of their lives. However, there are strict privacy and confidentiality requirements that you must abide by.
Discussing Your Patients on Social Media
Commenting on a patient in any way, positive or negative, can get you in trouble. Any comments about a real-life patient can be used to identify them. In this case, the medical information that you disclose can be in violation of confidentiality requirements. Avoid discussing coworkers as well for similar reasons.
You may simply be seeking advice on how to handle a problem with a particular patient. However, breaking confidentiality rules can lead to fines and jail time. Not only this, but you might also lose your nurse license.
Using Social Media Responsibly
It's important to be fully aware of what you are allowed to discuss and not discuss on social media. You're allowed to talk about the nursing profession more generally. You'll need to be aware of your employer's social media policies so that you can abide by them. Your goal should also be to uplift nursing as a profession, and you should not engage in unprofessional behavior.
Responding to Complaints
If a complaint has been filed against you, the next step is for you to receive a letter from the nursing board. The purpose of the letter is to look for further evidence that can be used against you. Therefore, you will want to contact a nurse license defense lawyer. They can help you begin the process of defending yourself against these allegations.
A nursing board will sometimes twist facts to create a case against you. They will also threaten to add more charges if you do not comply with their demands. However, you have the right to have a lawyer speak on your behalf and represent you in court.
