The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

99 “Social Media in Nursing: Friend or Foe?” by Leah Rachel Bode Instructor’s Notes In this research paper students were to investigate how their future professions might be affected or influenced by social media or some other form of technology. Leah Rachel chose to argue that, though various forms of social media can be beneficial to nurses struggling to cope with the stress of their jobs, the potential professional risks far outweigh the personal benefits. Note how Leah Rachel’s choice to open her essay with “the placenta incident” not only effectively captures the serious consequences suffered by many nurses who thoughtlessly upload work images to social media sites but also immediately orients readers to both sides of her argument. As you read the essay, locate sections of the argument which might be strengthened by additional examples or support. Writers’ Biography Leah Rachel Bode will be a senior nursing major at Cedarville University. After graduating, she hopes to pursue midwifery and one day serve God as a medical missionary. She loves the Lord, babies, friends and scrapbooking. Social Media in Nursing: Friend or Foe? When nursing student Doyle Byrnes uploaded a seemingly harmless image to her Facebook page, she never could have predicted the consequences that would result. The incident began when the eager student, during a class at Johnson County Community College, photographed herself leaning over a human placenta. Delighted with the educational opportunity before her, Byrnes smiled for the shot and then uploaded the image to her Facebook page. A flurry of activity resulted, and the college ultimately expelled the student for her unprofessional conduct and misuse of confidential information (NursingStudents).As“theplacenta incident” illustrates, thepresence of social media impacts the medical field extensively today, offering