S3E72 Advocate Smart: Nurses, Social Media & Responsible Activism Host Tina Baxter

Welcome to The Nurse Shark Academy with a special Leadership Lessons episode, where we talk about leadership, advocacy, and the future of nursing. I’m your host Tina Baxter,  and today, we’re diving into a hot topic — one that every nurse using social media should think about: responsible activism and influencing online.

 

We’re living in a digital age where nurses have massive influence. We can use our voices to challenge policies, share frontline truths, and educate the public. But — as we’ve seen — some posts can backfire in ways that threaten jobs, licenses, and reputations.

 

So in this episode, we’ll explore:

- Real examples of nurses who went viral — and sometimes paid the price,

- What to know about your employer’s social media policy,

- Legal pitfalls that can catch you off guard,

- And five practical tips to advocate effectively — without courting backlash.

My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.

Nurses are the most trusted professionals in the world — and for good reason. We see the system up close: the barriers to care, the health inequities, the burnout. It’s natural that we want to speak out.

Social media has given us a megaphone. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X allow nurses to amplify their voices beyond the hospital walls.

Some nurse advocates are doing this beautifully. Take Nurse Keith Carlson, host of The Nurse Keith Show.  Nurse Keith is a holistic career coach for nurses, professional podcaster, published author, award-winning blogger, inspiring keynote speaker, and successful nurse entrepreneur. http://nursekeith.com/

Tacarra Durrett, also know as APRN beauty on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. She uses her online platform to discuss nursing issues in the news with her Nurses in the News segment. https://linktr.ee/aprnbeauty?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=d4ec9af0-09ea-4622-926d-d90699f2aa47

That’s responsible activism — contemporary, professional, and rooted in advocating for the nursing profession. There are numerous empowered and impactful nurses out there promoting our profession. I count myself lucky to have this platform and be counted as one of the voices among the many.

But for every success story, there’s a cautionary tale — where good intentions collided with privacy laws, employer policies, or the court of public opinion.

Let’s talk about some real-world examples that made headlines.

 

Story #1 — The Livestream Gone Wrong

A nurse named Yazz Scott livestreamed herself passing meds during her nursing home shift. She thought it would be educational — showing “what nurses really do.” But the livestream sparked outrage for potential HIPAA violations and unsafe practices. https://nurse.org/news/nurse-yazz-scott-tiktok-livestream/

 

Story #2 — The Influencer Under Fire

Chris Hernandez, an ER nurse and influencer, was placed on leave after posting a video containing antisemitic remarks while wearing scrubs. His employer stated the content “did not align with our organization’s values.” https://nypost.com/2024/05/18/us-news/nyc-nurse-on-leave-after-saying-jews-should-shut-the-f-k-up-in-video/

 

Story #3 — The Sutter Health Incident

At Sutter Health, staff were caught on camera joking around bodily fluids in a clinic. The video went viral, prompting an investigation and suspensions. https://www.wptv.com/us-news/medical-staff-fired-after-making-tiktok-video-with-apparent-bodily-fluids-from-patients

 

Story #4 — The Conspiracy Theorist Nurse

Kate Shemirani, a UK nurse, was struck off the register after spreading anti-vaccine misinformation during the pandemic. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77dmp3jjepo

 

Each of these examples shows how fast things can spiral — and how professional reputation extends into the digital world.

5 Tips for Smart, Safe Advocacy

1. Know your employer’s and board’s policies.
2. Separate professional and personal identities.
3. Focus on issues, not incidents.
4. Stay factual and respectful.
5. Think before you post — pause, reflect, and review.

If Backlash Happens

1. Pause before responding.
2. Clarify, don’t escalate.
3. Seek guidance.
4. Document everything.
5. Learn and share — mistakes can be powerful lessons.

Social media is a powerful advocacy tool — but also a risky one. Before posting, take a breath, remember your duty, and lead responsibly.

If this episode helped you, share it with a colleague or nursing student. I’m Tina Baxter, and this has been The Nurse Shark Academy Show. Lead with your voice — and protect your