social media for nurses

Some nurses are social media superstars. They’ve become a go-to resource for general health care inquiries. They serve as a frequent commenter on forums and navigate online chat rooms to discuss healthcare matters. Some even use YouTube to explain different procedures and fascinate their followers. Twitter and Facebook already have a thriving community of nurses, and now Instagram too has trending hashtags on nurses & nursing.

But for the rest of us, social media can be a bit of a mystery box because social media platforms, apart from helping us win an online reputation, can also lead to unexpected consequences if we don’t follow a set of guidelines. So, it is of paramount importance that all healthcare workers, including nurses, understand their NMC guidelines and local policies when using social media platforms for professional purposes.

And that’s why we ask —why nurses should use social media for professional development?

Why Nurses Should Use Social Media?

Nurses do essential work. And, in a more-grateful world, their work would speak for itself. Like many doctors and surgeons, nurses can also leverage the power of social media to boost their online reputation, share their challenging experiences, and outshine.



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Besides, nurses can use many more ways to use Instagram, Twitter, and online communities to increase the following and make a difference in patients’ lives. Let’s take a look at some of the solid reasons why nurses should consider social media as a tool for professional development.

  • The Opportunity to Reach more People & Patients:


  • An Outlet to Share Knowledge and Expertise

Your profile can be a go-to source for people to stay updated with the latest information in your field. You can dispel common medial myths, share authentic news, and news updates on medical breakthroughs and health trends. You can display the knowledge you’ve acquired over the years and provide support by sharing statistics and tips about self-care, nutrition, and whatever that’s relevant for your patient base.

  • A Platform to Acquire Knowledge & Network 



How Can Nurses Use Social Media Effectively 

Social media for nurses may not provide ROI right away, but it takes time. If you’re worried, you won’t benefit from it, check out the Do’s and Don’t use social media effectively.

Social Media for Nurses: Do’s 

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Blogging: Nurses can use blogging platforms like WordPress, Joomla, BlogSpot to boost their online visibility and advanced in their career — landing a new job, promotion, or a raise. Maintaining a blog also gives them a chance to stay updated with the latest information, teach others, and expand their knowledge. They can also use the same platform to promote nursing-related interests or endeavors or generate a side income.


Twitter or LinkedIn: LinkedIn and Twitter, are one of the easiest ways of maintaining contact with peers, experts, and other professionals. From explaining the introduction of a new drug, health campaigns, new device, drug recall, health safety notices to answering the emergency question — the nurses today can do so much. These platforms are a great place to start the health-related conversions and trend it with hashtags.

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Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube: The visual and audio aspects of both these platforms have allowed nurses to vlog easily. Where YouTube has a profound effect on a viewer’s understanding of medical concerns, treatments, and surgical procedures, Instagram will enable them to share snippets and snaps on the trending topics.


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Tiktok: TikTok isn’t only for lip-syncs, music, or mimicry.  Because of its surplus of users, brands have started using the app for marketing and advertising purposes. And hence, this platform can be a great asset for nurses too. They can share use the app to share knowledge, ideas, home-remedies or tips, ask for information, explain procedures, and debate issues.


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Social Media for Nurses: Dont’s

As per the American Nursing Association’s Guidelines, Nurses or healthcare workers are not supposed to make disparaging comments about their patients. They should not use the platform to share how rude, unhygienic, or ignorant the patient is — such statements leave an unprofessional impression on the audience.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but in many medical situations, nurses get overwhelmed, and hence frustrated. Hence, the ANA stresses that they refrain from making any negative remark about the patient. Nurses (like all health care workers) must remain vigilant to avoid disclosing workplace and patient-related information as well as follow the relevant federal and state laws. Even a seemingly candid or innocuous post of a patient’s personal information can result in dismissal from employment.

“Nurses should remember they should not post information that might violate HIPAA regulations, just as they would not talk about patients’ information openly in a hospital hallway where others could overhear. Protecting privacy and preventing people from breaking the law are two of the biggest goals of the ANA’s principles.” — Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements



  • Videos or photos of patients
  • Photos or videos that reveal patient records
  • Patient’s description, diagnosis, treatments, or diagnosed medicines
  • Discussing a patient in a degrading or demeaning manner


Putting it All Together




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