My Work as a Nurse
I currently work as a nurse in the recovery room. In my unit, we care for surgical patients before and after their operations. More specifically, I prepare patients for surgery and take care of them in the recovery room post-operation. My job involves a lot of patient guidance, monitoring, and medication administration.
As I wrote in my “Digi Society” text, we use various digital platforms in my work simultaneously, but social media platforms are not allowed. In fact, several social media applications are completely banned during working hours, and work-related matters cannot be shared on personal social media due to confidentiality obligations. Instead, the digital systems I use include the hospital’s patient information system (Uranus), anesthesia information system (Centricity High Acuity Critical Care), operating room management system (Opera), electronic anesthesia pre-assessment form (AneDigi), electronic orientation system, digital surgical care pathway for patients, the regional welfare organization’s intranet, email, and other basic tools. We use Microsoft Teams for internal communication within our workplace and for regional welfare organization briefings.
In addition to digital applications and information systems, medical technology plays a significant role in my work, increasingly integrating directly with the systems mentioned above. For instance, patient measurements are transferred directly from monitors or other devices to computers. Patient guidance has also partly transitioned to digital platforms, as pre-surgery instructions and post-operative care guidelines are sent directly to patients’ mobile phones via an application. In the surgical pathway application, patients receive instructions related to their surgeries and confirm reading them within the app. Digital applications are continuously being introduced, requiring staff to familiarize themselves with and learn to use electronic systems. Nowadays, all nursing documentation is done electronically, and paper forms are being phased out entirely.
Social Media Tools
The social media tools I am familiar with and use almost daily include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and, most recently, AI applications like ChatGPT and Copilot. From the given list, I also recognize LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, X, Tumblr and Vimeo. However, none of these can be utilized in my work. WhatsApp was previously used for internal communication within my work unit, but its use was recently prohibited due to data security concerns.
- In my work, I could use tools like DeepL as a translation tool when I need to translate something into another language. I encounter many foreign patients, and often, there is no common language at all. Various translation tools, such as Google Translate, have thus become essential.
- LinkedIn is, as I understand it, a meeting place for employees and employers. Since I work in the public sector, I have never felt the need to join the platform. However, I do not see why nurses couldn’t network through LinkedIn as well.
- Monday.com seems like an interesting AI-based work platform where teams can plan, execute, and track tasks. With it, various projects, responsibility management, and work distribution could also be successful within my work community. Additionally, it could be utilized for scheduling shifts or internal team communication.
- Skype has been used as an internal communication channel in some workplaces. At my current workplace, Skype has been replaced with Teams, which functions in a similar way, though Teams likely has slightly broader features.
- Moreover, I could imagine using AI platforms like ChatGPT or the newly introduced Pi in my work. However, I believe that using such tools requires critical thinking, and they cannot be directly applied to patient care.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media
The social media applications I use are primarily intended for communication and entertainment, such as TikTok and Instagram. Social media has significantly facilitated communication and connection, both with close friends and distant acquaintances or even strangers. It also enables the rapid and easy sharing of news, opinions, research, and other information worldwide. Various platforms and tools simplify life in many ways and provide new opportunities, particularly from a marketing perspective for businesses. Additionally, social media content can support individual well-being and provide accessible information on various topics. A personal example of this is the parenting-related content I have found on Instagram.
However, the negative aspects of social media include the various forms of bullying and hate speech. While social media can enhance well-being, it can also diminish it. It can create pressure related to appearance, lead to mental health challenges, evoke envy, or cause feelings of inferiority—especially since social media allows people to present only a polished version of their lives, leaving much of the reality outside the digital sphere. Additionally, social media can lead to addiction. Users should be aware of the associated risks and develop media literacy and critical thinking skills when engaging with social media. Beyond these concerns, social media usage also comes with potential data security risks and the possibility of falling victim to scams.
Characteristics of a Good Application
I believe that the key elements of a good application are user-friendliness, clarity, and ease of use. Navigating within the app should be intuitive, with a clear navigation system. A well-designed interface, along with high-quality and diverse content, enhances the overall user experience.
I also think continuous development is important, and user needs should be considered in the improvement process. Users should be given the option to customize the app’s settings, allowing them to filter content that interests them. However, perhaps the most crucial aspect is adequate security and data protection, ensuring that the application is safe to use and that users’ private information is not leaked to third parties.
Summary
Many of the listed social media tools were completely unfamiliar to me. I primarily use social media applications for communication and entertainment, and I have noticed their addictive qualities. Perhaps that is one hallmark of a good application—its ability to engage users… On the other hand, I also see it as a positive thing that social media usage is kept to a minimum in my work, as it is important to focus solely on work during working hours rather than spending time on social media.