SIFT-ing Through Misinformation: Reflection Notebooks to Teach Critical Digital Literacy.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 infodemic revealed nurses are not immune from disseminating health misinformation. Furthermore, the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials require competency in social media literacy. Nurse educators need to prepare students to identify credible information online for safe and ethical practice.

Problem: Vertical reading, a traditional evaluation strategy used in nursing education, is insufficient for identifying online health misinformation.

Approach: A librarian and nursing faculty member developed an innovative reflection notebook assignment to teach lateral reading-a professional fact-checking technique-and facilitate critical self-reflection among RN-to-BSN students.

Outcomes: Reflection notebook responses demonstrated that students use online information in various ways; online information habits require active, ongoing professional development; and lateral reading can promote a more compassionate approach to patient education.

Conclusions: The reflection notebooks equip students with critical knowledge, skills, and attitudes to practice safely and ethically while demonstrating some of the AACN Essentials requirements.