Nursing Activism in the Era of Social Media
Date
2023-07-18
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0009-0003-6866-1139
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Nurses' imperative to address social injustices must compel the profession to identify new ways to facilitate nurses' activism. Social media engages and connects users and increasingly shapes political landscapes, giving rise to global socio-political movements. This study explores social media's role in aiding nurses in social justice activism. The study objectives are (1) to explore how Canadian registered nurses use social media in their activism and (2) to illustrate the impact social media has on their activism.
Methods: A qualitative, interpretive descriptive (ID) approach guided this study. I conducted eleven virtual semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth accounts of nurses’ experiences with social media activism. Ten of the interview transcripts were analyzed using an inductive ID approach to identify practical applications of the findings in nursing.
Findings: Three significant themes were identified, illuminating how social media featured in the participants' nursing activism. The first theme, Information, Networks and Relationships, include participant accounts of how social media helps them connect with others, access relevant information, and feel empowered. Getting the Nursing Voice Out There pertains to participants' use of social media to advance the nursing voice into the public sphere and make their nursing activism and work known to a broader audience. The third theme, Opportunities for Nurse Leadership, describes the impact nurse leadership's social media presence had on participants’ activism.
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight how nurses can strategically use social media to maximize the impact of their activism and the challenges they may encounter. The results provide insight into how informed, professional, and appropriate social media activism may increase the nursing profession’s capacity to be a force for positive social change.
Description
Keywords
nursing, nursing activism, social media, social media activism, social justice, advocacy, political activism, nurse political activism, nurse social media activism
Citation
Degree
Master of Nursing (M.N.)
Department
Nursing
Program
Nursing