Professionalism
Reflections from professionalism/social media audit:
Social media has created a world where access and the ability to venture into unforeseen territory are at one’s fingertips. This newfound freedom comes with many benefits, but also many opportunities to create havoc. As social media has increased connectivity, it has blurred boundaries, bringing new challenges for health professionals. (Chreiten, 2015).
Social media posts should be made with awareness of potential audiences and the public’s right to information. My personal internet audit identified publicly available information primarily related to my private social media presence (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram). My LinkedIn platform serves primarily as a space for professional networking. At the same time, my other social media forums focus on topics such as the future of healthcare, cancer research, and fundraising goals. Through personal groups and posts, I share my involvement with organizations such as the Juravinski Cancer Centre, as well as current trends and professional achievements within my workplace. I also share limited personal content, including pictures of friends, families, and pets, in an ethically appropriate manner. I intentionally avoid political content and opinions as they may be perceived as unprofessional or unethical and could conflict with my professional responsibilities. As a nurse, I am held to a high standard, and I am committed to maintaining a good moral standard in alignment with the College of Nurses of Ontario (College of Nurses, 2021).
Throughout the process of conducting this audit, I have come to recognize the importance of being purposeful and well-informed in my digital engagement. In an era of widespread and immediate access to information, even seemingly harmless jokes or quotations may be perceived as hurtful or damaging. Furthermore, the ubiquity of mobile technology means that digital content is readily captured, permanently stored, and easily retrievable. As younger generations described as “digital natives” enter the healthcare field and more specifically nursing, technology is familiar and an integral part of their lives. However, despite this increase in use, there is little guidance on its appropriate and professional application within clinical and academic settings (Murdoch, 2018). This issue warrants further discussion within the healthcare sector, particularly in relation to the development and maintenance of a professional digital identity.
Professional identity and values:
Being licensed as a Registered Nurse in Ontario by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is both a privilege and an honour. My professional identity is grounded in respect, empowerment, quality improvement, compassion, and creating psychologically safe spaces. Research has shown that nurses are the pillar of the healthcare system, and nursing leadership provides positive impacts to workforce management, job well-being, and overall well-being. (Lunn, 2025). The expansion of my professional identity is supported through intentional role evolution (Douglass, 2024). This transition requires role realigning through three stages: identity earning, role transition, and self-integrating. (Lunn, 2025). The development of my professional identity occurs through the pursuit of leadership roles within nursing, grounded in the understanding that nurses embody both knowledge and practice. Integration necessitates ongoing critical examination of nursing ethics and professional values and their effect on nursing identity (Purvis, 2022)
Where Do Nurses fit in the Health Care system?
RN’s hold a distinct yet expansive role within the Canadian Health System. In Ontario, the profession is regulated and governed by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), a self-regulated profession in Ontario, which has recognized nursing as a self-regulated profession since 1963. The CNO licenses nurses, establishes entry practice guidelines and practice standards, administers quality assurance programs, and enforces standards of practice and conduct (College of Nurses, 2021). As nurses, we are set to abide by established guidelines grounded in ethics and values established for our profession. Maintaining a professional presence, whether through social media or in everyday life, is paramount for the sustainment of morality within nursing and the healthcare system.
Nursing practice standards are grounded in principles of professionalism; however, as digital communication platforms continue to evolve, these standards must adapt accordingly. As expectations for maintaining online professionalism increase, there is a corresponding need for enhanced education and training to support nurses in navigating the ethical and professional challenges of the digital environment (Murdock 2018).
References
Chretien, K. C., & Tuck, M. G. (2015). Online professionalism: A synthetic review. International Review of Psychiatry, 27(2), 106–117. https://doi.org/10.3109/09540261.2015.1004305
Code of Ethics 2025 – Canadian Nurses Association. (2025). Cna-Aiic.ca. https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/nursing/regulated-nursing-in-canada/nursing-ethics/2025-coe
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2021). About CNO. Cno.org. https://www.cno.org/what-is-cno/about-cno
Dalton, C., Sarwar, Z., Garwe, T., & Hunter, C. J. (2026). Evaluating perceptions of social media professionalism by healthcare workers. DIGITAL HEALTH, 12. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251411281
Douglass, B., Stager, S. L., Shaw, K., Hite, A., Solecki, S., Stanik-Hutt, J., & Tufts, G. (2024). Professional identity in nursing: Why it is important in graduate education. Journal of Professional Nursing, 52, 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.03.004
Lunn, C., Donnell, C. O., Curtain, S. M., & Coffey, A. (2025). Realigning Identity: Nurse Executives’ Experiences within a New Socio-Professional Group – A Classic Grounded Theory Study. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 100367–100367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2025.100367
Murdoch, N. L. H., Ahlquist, A. D., Farthing, P. M., & Mennie, J. N. (2018, March 21). A Review of Perceptions of Professional Presence on Social Media in Nursing Education | Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics. The Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics. https://cjni.net/journal/?p=5364
Purvis, J. K. (2022). Applying a foucauldian lens to the Canadian code of ethics for registered nurses as a discursive mechanism for nurses professional identity. Nursing Inquiry, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12536
Regulated health professions | ontario.ca. (2023, December 11). Www.ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/regulated-health-professions
Rukavina, T. V., Viskic, J., Poplasen, L. M., Relic, D., Marelic, M., Jokic, D., & Sedak, K. (2021). Dangers and benefits of social media on e-professionalism of healthcare professionals: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11). https://doi.org/10.2196/25770