Social media is not only an emerging and cultural trend, but a method of\ncommunication that is changing the way individuals and organizations\nthroughout the world transmit and receive information. Nurses play a significant\nrole in identification, interpretation, and transmission of knowledge and\ninformation within the health care system. Social mobile media spaces provide\na platform that can assist both qualified and student nurses keep in touch with\neach other and share best practices and prevent isolation for those placed in\nfar flung areas of the country. Data were obtained from WhatsApp discussions\ninvolving one group of HIV nurse practitioners followed for a period of\nsix weeks. Data analysis was conducted by the lead investigators and took the\nform of thematic analysis. The data were constantly compared with the codes\nin order that the shift in the meaning is minimized and accuracy and confirmability\nis maintained. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of\nZambia, School of Medicine�s Research Ethics Committee. Anonymity was\nmaintained through the use of pseudonyms. The results revealed that social\nmedia as tool of communication in Zambia has been used by HIV Nurse\nPractitioners in both urban and rural areas for sharing best practices and prevention\nof professional isolation. The tool is also used for emotional and social\nsupport as well as a source of motivation for its users. Mobile Instant\nMessaging (MIM) is a resource that can benefit the nursing profession in\nkeeping abreast with the new trends in the care of patients and prevention of\nprofessional isolation. However, it is important to ensure that the interaction\nis structured to prevent digression from the core purpose which might lead to\nloss of direction.
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