Ethics question.

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

With the advent of social media I've noticed a trend that disturbs me. Nursing media stars are pushing products, but there is no disclosure of remuneration. When I asked one, I was told that they were an ambassador for the product but they wouldn't say if they were getting paid to push the product. You see multiple social media posts out there on a product. When other media personalities shill products you see "in fine print usually" a statement about them being paid.

I've seen this for scrubs, nursing magazines and a few other products. I don't mind people making money. I would be if I could, but I don't have an entrepreneurial bone in my body, but I would like to know if people pushing a product are using their fame and getting paid. Puts a different light on a product.

So my question is, what are your thoughts on the ethics of this.

[vanilla bean]

There are nursing media stars? Can you provide any specifics about who these "stars" are and what products they're endorsing?

[klone, MSN, RN]

There are nursing media stars? Can you provide any specifics about who these "stars" are and what products they're endorsing?

Exactly my question as well!

[mama12]

Are you referring to Katie Duke and others such as Nurse Eye Roll (can't remember her real name)? I know they often promote scrubs and products. I never paid attention to whether they disclosed it but I know bloggers in general are required to disclose when they are paid or receiving products for free.

[elkpark]

Call me old fashioned, but I just assume that someone hawking any kind of product on TV or social media is being paid to do so unless s/he specifies otherwise -- and, even if they do specify otherwise, I'm still suspicious. :)

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

It really doesn't matter the names. It is something that has been going on for a bit now. The term Ambassador has been getting passed around for a couple of years. The first I noticed was for Scrubs magazine. Now that Social Media is allowing for nurses to be in spotlight and have a following like never before, I was just wondering if this was something that needed discussion.

I'm guilty of not stating that I had no connection or was getting no money when I recumbent certain pieces of software on my blog. I posted recently a list of apps on my iPhone.

If a popular nurse was to say buy product A, It's the cat's meow, I'd like to know if they were getting money. Even if they really liked the product. I'm not questioning their sincerity, and everyone has the right to make whatever $$ they can. I think it's called capitalism. :)

Like a previous poster, I'm a cynic and assume that they are getting money and make my judgments. But I'm old and have been around the block a few times. Do younger/"gullible" nurses need th courtesy of a declaration of paid advertising?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I live by the motto "Caveat Emptor". "Let the buyer beware".

I don't think there need to be additional (or any) disclaimers if someone is being paid or not being paid; if I see them smiling from a magazine or website I have to assume there is SOME kind of compensation being offered in exchange for the endorsement. More of a common sense thing, IMHO, but that's how I see it.

And let's face it: any time a celebrity sticks her face on some product, we all KNOW that she's being paid/compensated for that endorsement. People buy the item because they WANT it, maybe they want an association with the celebrity in question ("did you smell this new fragrance? It's by Jessica Simpson!! Maybe we're besties now??")

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry I'm not following at all. What does this mean? Nursing media stars and...???

...homework question??

[kungpoopanda]

What is a nursing media star? I think you are getting your panties in a bunch over nothing.

[Farawyn]

Julia

Hotlips Hoolihan

MacMurphy

Grn Tea

= MY nursing "media stars"

[klone, MSN, RN]

Oh, MacMurphy! I loved that show.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I wonder what "nurse Jackie" could hawk.....

Younger nurses are not so inexperienced in just buying something solely based on who is selling it. Which, even if I LOVED a product, how many of us would be putting our name and face to a product with a huge recognition factor and not expect to be paid something? Stars are the product of their managers/PR company. And they don't "own" the right to do anything without "approval".

Back to the supposed more inexperienced younger consumers. Word of mouth, countless googling for reviews, and for some, if the scrubs have some kind of designer label that others can see...and it doesn't matter WHO the heck is hawking it.

I swear that if handbag designers, little alligators, or certain horseback sport companies would design scrubs, there are some nurses who would jump on them. However, these products are showcased by models that we know nothing of. (

And I am not sure a "layperson" would want to get into discussing products without a disclaimer that they are not held responsible for if the product works for others or not. Then you get the sue happy stating that on your blog you recommended an item that they went out and bought, and it did not work for them, so they want you to refund their money.....