Navigating the Digital Ward: Social Media Use and Professional Identity Among Early-Career Nurses

Social media has emerged as a pivotal environment for professional development. Grounded in Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, this study conceptualizes social media as a cultural tool that mediates identity formation. We examined social media usage patterns among early-career nurses, their impact on professional identity, and the moderating role of nurse-specific engagement. An online survey was conducted with 417 early-career nurses across five tertiary hospitals in China. Data on usage duration, intensity, and nurse-specific engagement were analyzed using ANOVA and hierarchical regressions. Six distinct social media usage patterns were identified based on usage duration and intensity. Findings revealed that passive use was negatively related with professional identity as duration increased; conversely, active use showed no relationship. Notably, nurse-specific social media use significantly moderated the relationship between general use and professional identity ß = .266, p = .010 for duration; ß = .258, p = .043 for intensity). These results suggest that profession-related online engagement buffers the potential negative impact of general social media consumption. To support the professional identity of early-career nurses in the digital age, healthcare organizations should encourage purposeful, profession-oriented online interactions.