Joining a Whatsapp group with your course-mates can be a great way to make friends but remember to keep professional standards!
Joining your cohort's Whatsapp group can be a great way to be part of a supportive and encouraging community, make friends and discuss a variety of topics.
Sometimes group chat conversations can become unprofessional and inappropriate, leading to them being shared with the programme team and result in a Professional Conduct and Suitability (PCPS) meeting.
Remember, when on a professional programme such as Nursing or Teaching, you are required to always act professionally. Here are some top tips on how to use social media appropriately.
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Be mindful
Be mindful of sharing controversial opinions. Whilst group chats can be used to express yourself, if you are sharing hurtful or derogatory opinions, this could lead to students reporting you for breaching your professional code of conduct.
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Don't share confidential information
Don’t share confidential information. Whatsapp is not a professional platform and therefore should not be used to discuss any client/service user information or concerns. If working in a school, you should not be discussing the children you teach; if working in a hospital, you should not discuss the patients you care for.
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Don't discuss grievances
Be careful of who you are discussing. If you are unhappy with a particular lecturer or manager on placement, be mindful of how you express this to your friends on Whatsapp. You should evidence that you are able to resolve any concerns you have in a professional manner by raising these with the appropriate people (programme leader, placement supervisor etc). If you are found to be making rude comments about staff, you could be invited to a PCPS meeting.
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Be nice
If it’s not nice, don’t type it. There may be times on your course where you dislike your peer. It’s important that you are mindful of how you treat others. Whatsapp should not be used as a platform to express your dislike about anybody. This could be considered bullying and will not be tolerated at the University.
This article is part of our Advice team's 'Whats'appening in your Whatsapp Group' campaign.