Before You Post: Professional Standards and Social Media in Healthcare
Course Overview
Social media has become a powerful influence on how the public perceives healthcare and nursing practice. Viral videos often present brief, emotionally engaging snapshots of clinical situations, yet they frequently omit critical context related to patient safety, ethical decision making, and standards of care. This podcast explores how social media content can misrepresent real clinical practice, examines the ethical and legal risks for nurses, and provides guidance on maintaining professionalism while engaging in digital spaces. The discussion aims to equip healthcare professionals with the tools to critically evaluate online content and uphold the integrity of the nursing profession.
Listen, Learn, and Earn CE Hours with this podcast course. Available on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast apps.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Recognize how viral healthcare content can misrepresent clinical decision making, patient care, and outcomes.
- Identify legal, ethical, and professional risks associated with nurses’ use of social media, including violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Apply principles of professional accountability and ethical standards when engaging with or creating healthcare content online.
- Evaluate strategies to address misinformation and promote accurate, evidence based health information in digital environments.
About the Author/Presenter
Mackenzie Butler, DNP, MSN, RN-BC is the Head of Nursing Products at Colibri Group, where she leads innovative solutions to advance nursing education and professional development. She holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. In addition to her leadership role, Mackenzie serves as adjunct faculty at the College of Saint Benedict, sharing her expertise with future healthcare professionals. Her professional interests include healthcare simulation and leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes.
Dr. James V. Stowe, J.D., R.N. is both a nurse and attorney, obtaining a nursing degree from Auburn University and Juris Doctor from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law. He practiced in the legal field concentrating in part on medical claims before returning to hospital administration. James is currently the Director of a large Emergency Department.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
