My Professional Online Presence

In today's digital age, our online presence is a reflection of who we are, both personally and professionally. When I contemplate how I want to present myself online and to what extent, I take into consideration the factors that influence my perception of others' profiles. I also cross-reference these considerations with my own values and beliefs. There have been instances where I've come across online posts that are strongly opinionated, and while I may partially agree with them, I also hold a strong sense of pride in representing my profession and organization with integrity.

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Professional socialization, as discussed by Melrose, Park, and Perry (2021), involves mirroring the philosophy of the profession and embodying those beliefs through one's behavior. As a nurse, I understand that the nursing profession is characterized by a caring, personal, and nurturing environment. This philosophy is instilled in nursing students during their education to ensure a consistent alignment of values and beliefs. In a leadership role, it becomes significant to nurture and reinforce these values within the profession.

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Reflecting on my current online presence and the insights shared above, I recognize the need for a two-fold approach: one for my professional persona and another for my personal media presence. On the professional side, I plan to revamp my LinkedIn profile and possibly explore additional platforms like Twitter to engage with peers and share valuable insights. Conversely, on the personal side, I intend to keep my Facebook profile more private, not as an attempt to hide anything, but to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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Maintaining an appropriate social media presence goes beyond mere self-presentation; it involves demonstrating knowledge of the subject matter and upholding the respect and professionalism expected by regulatory bodies. A case relevant to this matter includes an

RN who expressed dissatisfaction with her family's care on a public platform (CBC, 2016). While initially, there were no disciplinary actions taken due to a lack of malice, a subsequent court ruling found her guilty of professional misconduct through the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) (Schabas, 2020). The Discipline Committee identified seven instances where the nurse violated nursing regulations as outlined by the CRNS guidelines.

As a professional, it is my obligation to base my statements on validated information. I firmly believe in using the appropriate tools to ensure the accuracy of the information I share. Additionally, when providing expertise on a subject, I adhere to ethical standards. If someone seeks my guidance and expertise, I am obligated to provide them with validated information. However, in situations where individuals exercise their freedom of speech on public forums, which may consist of misinformation, I do not feel compelled to intervene.