To Tweet or not to Tweet

The recent tragic death of Trayvon Martin has sparked an enormous amount of emotion, as it should. A few days ago, Spike Lee tweeted what he thought was George Zimmerman's address. It turned out to be an elderly couple with no relation at all to the Zimmerman's parents (he did apologized and offered to pay all the couple's expenses they incurred because they had to leave their home due to death threats). A few days later, Roseanne Bar tweeted George Zimmerman's parents actual address, but she promptly took it down. These 2 tweets (a comment 140 characters or less on Twitter) have sparked amazing news media blitz's about how celebrities should be using their immense influence for good instead of for vigilantism. But I thought it was time for a discussion of how caregiver's use social media.

1st and foremost - REMEMBER HIPPA

Social media has become a fast and quick way to share thoughts, but because it's become so fast (Jon Acuff says that 7 real days is equivalent to 43 Twitter-Years) people tend to not think about what they are putting out there. I'm here to remind you that HIPPA violations on social media sites are being watched carefully and prosecuted. Just get in the habit of NEVER EVER EVER sharing anything about work on Social Media sites if you are in healthcare. It's a slippery slope from putting photos of your new name tag to sharing photos of patients/client/residents, etc.

Few workplaces pay you to be on Social Media during your shift and supervisors ARE WATCHING. If you are doing something personal and are not on a break, you are stealing from the company. It is estimated that employers lose $10,000 a year per employee in lost productivity and they are looking for ways to get that money back. If they notice that you are on social Media sites (remember your posts are time stamped), your raise may not come this year.

A lot of employers are checking your account prior to hiring. If you post every frat boy party or Girls-only-dirty-trip to Vegas and that is the only thing on your site, you may not be hired anytime soon. If you have 30 tweets during the day about how much you hate your job. You probably won't get hired.

It is important to become vigilant about what you are putting onto your Digital Life. Your posts, shares, tweets, pins, etc say something about you. You should be sure that what you are putting into your digital world reflects the professional, caring, compassionate you that you must be because you decided to take care of others for a living.