First year nursing students’ experiences of social media during the transition to university: a focus group study

Abstract

This study has demonstrated the importance of social media in supporting informal peer-peer learning and support, augmenting online and offline relationships, and building professional identity as a nurse.

Social media in nursing and midwifery education: A mixed study systematic review

“…In addition, Ferguson et al. () reported that international students may engage with a social media intervention slightly differently if they feel they do not belong to the community of learners.…”

“…Professional knowledge "yea very strong identity, on like Facebook with like the older years there's a lot of like PRO NURSING or PROUD TO BE A NURSE posts or kinda stuff and you're in first year and you're like 'what?'" (Ferguson et al, 2016; first-year nursing students; Facebook; participant quote)…”

“…Timeframe "It kinda sucks my soul…it's a love hate relationship .…I just don't wanna be on it all the time. I don't use it on my phone" (Ferguson et al, 2016; first-year nursing students; Facebook; participant quote) Quality of information "People can be too relaxed and forget that these messages can be read by others or misinterpreted if they are too brief" (Duke et al, 2017; Bachelor of nursing, practical nursing students and faculty; mix of social media; participant quote)…”

“…"yeah because now employers can look at Facebook and easily find you and you have to be a lot more cautious" (Ferguson et al, 2016; first-year nursing students; Facebook; participant quote) (Continues) students reported passively viewing information posted by others or accessing shared links to educational resources. Others preferred a more dynamic approach and either posted information or questions themselves or responded to peers and faculty on social media, generating interactive discussions.…”

“…Interacting with different users such as peers, faculty and qualified nurses widened students' perspectives and seemed to help them learn new knowledge and skills. In addition, Ferguson et al (2016) reported that international students may engage with a social media intervention slightly differently if they feel they do not belong to the community of learners.…”