How to use social media strategically as a nurse to establish your brand & create an impact
What was just a way of getting in touch with friends and family virtually has now become a platform to reach a wider audience. Social media truly has come a long way. As a nurse, you can use social media strategically to establish your brand and create an impact.
Let’s get you started with all you need to know about being a nurse on social media!
The power of social media for nurses & how it can help build your professional network
Social media is absolutely powerful and influential. During its initial boom, celebrities and lifestyle personalities were among those who were popular online. Over time, the dynamics of social networking have changed.
From entrepreneurs to doctors, many professionals use this digital platform to promote themselves. Nurses are no exception. Whether you are an aspiring nurse waiting to earn your degree or an experienced nurse, you can use social media to your advantage.
Want to share your knowledge in nursing or just like to expand your professional network? Social media can be a tool to help you reach your professional goals whatever they are!
The benefits of social media platforms for nurses
Given the influence of social media, using this platform can be beneficial to you as a nurse.
Stay updated on the latest trends
Social media is a good source of information, especially if you want to stay in the loop on the latest trends and issues in the healthcare industry. Follow the social media pages of organizations and professionals in the nursing field. However, practice critical thinking in deciding which information is accurate.
Grow your professional network
Utilize social networking sites to expand your connections. Some platforms like Facebook have a feature where you can join user-made groups.
Find and join nursing groups in your area or groups with advocacies that you align yourself with. Interact with the members and make acquaintances. Not only can you learn from them but who knows, you might find your future employer or workmate there.
Share your knowledge and thoughts
Social media goes both ways. Aside from getting information, you can also share your knowledge or opinion on things through your account. As the owner of your account, you have the choice to decide what the goal of your social media page will be.
You can educate and share knowledge and tips, you can inform others and talk about the latest trends in nursing, or you can also share your experience as a nurse.
How nurses can utilize different social platforms to make an impact
With so many social networking sites and online platforms, how do you choose the right one? It all depends on you — what your end goal is, the content you want to put out, the audience you want to tap into, and the form of media you can create.
Here is a quick cheat sheet on various social platforms that are widely used today:
Blogs
Perfect for nurses who have a way with words, blogging is one method of sharing nursing information and insights. It is also great for discussing research and topics that are best explained in detail.
Write to your heart’s content about what you are passionate about. If you have specialized skills, talk about the trends in your nursing specialty. Your market for this would be nurses of the same field or undecided nurse professionals who are exploring different specializations.
In the first quarter of this year, Facebook recorded 2.04 billion active users who use the platform daily. This number alone shows how powerful it is in tapping a huge audience.
Nurses who want to hit a big audience can take advantage of Facebook’s wide user base. This also allows you to post text, photos, and videos. Easily engage with the people you are following or your followers through this user-friendly platform.
Short-form content is what Twitter is best for. For breakthroughs, the latest industry updates, and random tidbits about work and life as a nurse, Twitter might be the platform for you. You can also engage with your audience, albeit with character limits.
A more visual approach to social media, Instagram is meant for sharing snapshots through photos and short videos. It also has a live feature where you can stream yourself via video in real-time. Content-heavy posts with so much information might not be suited for this platform, though.
YouTube
As a video platform, there is a lot of content on YouTube from tutorials, discussions, and even personal vlogs. Nurses who are leaning toward creating videos prefer YouTube. You can make educational videos, talk about nursing trends and topics, or document your daily routine as a nurse.
TikTok
Similar to YouTube but with shorter videos, TikTok has grown in popularity in the course of the pandemic. Apart from the dance trends, it is also a platform for quality content such as nursing topics. Planning to tap a younger audience? Then TikTok is your best friend.
Geared towards providing a platform for professionals, LinkedIn is mostly for building your career. Air your thoughts about nursing topics, read others’ opinions, find like-minded professionals across different industries, and even see job opportunities.
There is so much you can do on the internet. The key is to find the perfect platform for you that is aligned with your goals and your content.
Best practices when engaging with patients on social networks
This couldn’t be stressed enough: social media is so influential it can make or break your career. Always be mindful of what you post and how you interact online.
There are instances where you get to engage with patients, current and past, on social networks. The golden rule in social media is not to post anything about your patients, especially private information.
Bear in mind that patients deserve confidentiality. Do not post photos of them or include them in any of your content. Avoid disclosing information that your audience can identify them from.
Maintain a professional tone in dealing with patients online. Talk to them just as how you would professionally. After all, you are a nurse and they are your patients.
How you can get started with your nursing career by using different social platforms strategically
Strategy is important in achieving your goals through social media. Kickstart your virtual profile by keeping in mind these tips:
Know your audience
Understand what makes your target market tick. What kind of content do they like? How do they like it to be presented? Which platform do they usually stay on?
Share verified information only
You are responsible for the content you put out. Make sure to have an internal verification process. Do not be a purveyor of fake news. Always double-check your sources before sharing anything on social media.
Avoid ranting and talking ill
With the platform that social media provides, it can get tempting to rant about inconveniences. However, avoid this as much as possible. Do not talk ill about your workmates, patients, or employer. The consequences of your actions might be hard to deal with in the future.
Always be professional
Though it is okay to be yourself and share personal things, remember to act professionally. What you post on the internet stays there forever. Even when you delete something, if it has received so much traction, people might not forget it.
Use social media responsibly
The internet is a great tool to help you grow your career as a nurse. With different social media platforms readily available for free, you can build your brand as a nurse and make an impact on society. Remember though, the internet can be useful as it is destructive if not used properly. Always think before you click!