Original Research

Perceptions of nursing students regarding responsible use of social media in the Eastern Cape

Thando Nyangeni, Suzette du Rand, Dalena van Rooyen
Curationis | Vol 38, No 2 | a1496 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v38i2.1496 | © 2015 Thando Nyangeni, Suzette du Rand, Dalena van Rooyen | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 15 March 2015 | Published: 24 July 2015

About the author(s)

Thando Nyangeni, Department of Nursing Science, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa
Suzette du Rand, Department of Nursing Science, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa
Dalena van Rooyen, School of Clinical Care Sciences, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Social media have become a popular communication system that has transformed communication from the traditional to the Web-based model. Because social media use has no limitations to place and time, it is now used extensively at clinical facilities. Social media useis becoming a popular activity amongst students at Nursing Education Institutions (NEI) in South Africa. However, lack of accountability and unethical use of social media by nursing students in South Africa has been reported.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nursing students regarding responsible use of social media.

Methods: A qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual research design was used to explore and describe the perceptions of nursing students regarding the responsible use of social media. Twelve nursing students registered for the undergraduate nursing degree were purposely selected and interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview method.

Results: The results of this research study demonstrate that nursing students use socialmedia irresponsibly. Nursing students experience blurred boundaries between personal and professional lines and lack accountability when using social media.

Conclusion: The extensive use of social media in the clinical environment, by healthcare students, requires a joint effort by Nursing Education Institutions and healthcare facilities to ensure that social media are used in an ethically acceptable manner. The implementation of the recommendations of this research study could positively influence legally and ethically acceptable use of social media at healthcare facilities.


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Crossref Citations

1. Educator or Counselor? Navigating Uncertain Boundaries in the Clinical Environment
Annette M. Lane, Lynn Corcoran
Journal of Nursing Education  vol: 55  issue: 4  first page: 189  year: 2016  
doi: 10.3928/01484834-20160316-02