Use of social media and web 2.0 technologies to increase knowledge and skills of british columbia nurses.

Health professionals' use of social media and Web 2.0 technologies are emerging as a new area of research. We present the experiences of a province-wide network in Canada that was developed using such technologies as a means to increase nurses' capacity in nursing health services research. Our network is based on a model of electronic communities of practice (eCoPs). Network evaluation affirms that nurses do respond to social media, as membership has grown to over 1,400 members in two years. Approaches used for network development and implementation are discussed, and the network's eHealth eCoP is presented as a case of network activities and directions.