Twitter, Millennials, and Nursing Education Research. Issue 1 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stephens, Teresa M.; Gunther, Mary E.
• Is Part Of: Nursing education perspectives. Volume 37:Issue 1(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Twitter -- Social Media -- Millennials -- Nursing Education -- Nursing Students; Nursing -- United States -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- United States -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing; Nursing; Nursing; United States; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.73071073
• DOI: 10.5480/14-1462
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-5026

Abstract

Abstract: AIM: This article reports the use of Twitter as an intervention delivery method in a multisite experimental nursing research study. BACKGROUND: A form of social networking, Twitter is considered a useful means of communication, particularly with millennials. This method was chosen based on current literature exploring the characteristics of millennial students. METHOD: Ahern's Model of Adolescent Resilience served as the theoretical framework. Participants were 70 junior-level baccalaureate nursing students, ages 19‐23, at two state-supported universities. RESULTS: Twitter was found to be a convenient, cost-effective, and enjoyable means of intervention delivery for the researcher. Participants in the experimental and control groups expressed positive feelings about the use of Twitter. CONCLUSION: The findings contribute to future efforts to use social media in nursing research and education to increase faculty-student engagement, promote critical reflection, provide social support, reinforce course content, and increase the sense of community.