I don’t know too many health care professionals who couldn’t sit down and write a book about their job. After all, we have a ringside seat to one of the greatest shows on earth. Now, with the advent of blogging and social networking sites like Facebook, many health care professionals are bypassing book publishers and are taking their stories straight to the Internet. Blogging and having “friends” can be a lot of fun, but remember, what you put out on the Internet can affect your career.

Here’s a case in point. I just read a story today about a Swedish nurse who used her cell phone to take pictures of surgical procedures, and then published them on her Facebook page. Apparently, she did it because she wanted to impress her high-powered Facebook friends. Her employer wasn’t impressed, and now the nurse is facing dire consequences for her actions. An investigation is underway and her employer will decide whether to fire her or turn her over to the police. She’s in deep trouble. Cameras are banned from operating rooms unless the pictures are specifically intended to be used medical research, and for educational purposes. More importantly, she violated patient confidentiality.

Other cases illustrate the pitfalls of writing about what’s going on at work. The blogosphere was buzzing when Dr. Robert P. Lindeman settled a malpractice lawsuit after opposing counsel outed him on the witness stand as Flea, the author of drfleablog. Lindeman, a graduate of Yale University and Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, had posted scathing entries on his blog about his trial, and his uncensored comments about lawyers, jurors, and the legal process ultimately sealed his fate. During an interview after the trial, Lindeman stated that this incident has had a huge impact of his professional and personal life — he said that his wife threatened to divorce him — and that he is never going to blog again.

There are certain things you must keep in mind when you write a blog. The first thing to remember is that you can be identified as the author of your blog, even if you write under a pseudonym. There are ways of tracking an author down, so be careful when you put your thoughts and feelings out on the Internet. Keep in mind that your boss and coworkers may be reading your posts. Check to see if your employer has a policy about blogging before you put up your first post. You must also protect patient confidentiality. Do not publish any identifying information such as names, specific times, places, or procedures, and never refer to an exact diagnosis. It’s always a good idea to post a disclaimer on your blog.

If you’re a blogger, or what to learn more about blogs, join the conversation at NursingVoices. We’re waiting to hear from you.