Twitter chats for learning disability nurses
Published: 29 April 2013
Newly qualified learning disability nurse Sam Abdulla explains how learning disability nurses can join the Twitter universe
Strengthening the Commitment (Scottish Government 2012) highlights the changing roles of the learning disability nurse. As employment patterns and geographical placement evolve, opportunities for improving cohesion and networking as a professional body have been brought sharply into focus (RCN 2011).
As we move towards and embrace the digital age, as a nation we are changing how we go about our daily business: grocery shopping can be done in moments over the internet, insurance can be bought and holidays booked via a smart phone, and networking opportunities are developing to embrace this change. A growing number of professional are connecting through Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and numerous other social media sites accessible at the touch of a button.
LDnursechat is one dedicated Twitter chat that forms part of a larger #nursecommunity within the Twitter universe. Through fortnightly facilitated discussions, nurses, allied health professionals, educators and, most importantly, carers and people with learning disabilities are invited to discuss pertinent issues related to the care and effective management of the health needs of those with learning disabilities. The chats offer an arena for information sharing and identification of local best practice, and allow practitioners to reflect on their own practice and develop their professional roles.
To maintain registration allowing us to practise as nurses, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) states that all nurses must demonstrate and provide evidence of continuing professional development (CPD). Post-registration CPD helps nurses to remain aware of developments in practice and ensures high-quality care (NMC 2011). The NMC states that CPD is a vital and mandatory requirement of all registrants, but the diversity of nursing tasks that registrants may undertake means that there is no accredited or singular approved format for CPD.
As a result, through participation in and the subsequent development of reflective pieces related to the #wenurses blog, nurses are able to use Twitter chats to demonstrate ongoing learning and development. This reflection should highlight what the activity consisted of and the expectations of learning that you held prior to undertaking the activity. It should also highlight the content of the discussion and how the discussion informed and aided the development of your practice to meet the CPD standards established by the NMC (NMC 2011).
The value of networking through social media does not, however, lie solely in its uses for professional development. Social media allows for instant connectivity between all levels of the profession, from student nurse to directors of nursing, on a level playing field. Beyond the wards, the hierarchy of nursing diminishes and we are all more easily accessible on a human level. Shared learning and effective collaboration is enabled through this reduction of traditional hierarchical approaches.
But it is vital to remain aware of our professional public identity. As nurses we must remain aware at all times that we are representing our profession. We must therefore uphold the values and standards of our regulatory body.
LDnursechat is held fortnightly on Thursday evenings at 8.30pm. Planned and previous chats can be viewed at www.wenurses.co.uk.
If you would like to suggest a topic for discussion or take part in one of the chats, they are open to all. Come and follow @ldnursechat
LDnursechat is: @dmarsden49, @salsa442 and @samabdulla
Sam Abdulla is a newly qualified learning disability nurse
References
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2011) The Prep Handbook (PDF 118 KB) .
Scottish Government (2012) Strengthening the Commitment: The Report of the UK Modernising Learning Disabilities Nursing Review. Scottish Government, Edinburgh.