Is there conflict of interest here? (A real RN in an ad)

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A friend owns a company and they would like to use my image in a national ad campaign for a health supplement (a fortified drink.. basically a vitamin water, nothing like red bull or anything). My question is, I work as an RN on a cardiac floor. The ad will be very respectable (in a parenting magazine) but I'm wondering because they are thinking of portraying me as a nurse, should I mention this ad to my employer? It's doubtful that anyone at work will notice, but I don't want to appear to be hiding anything either.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

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I just would not do it because one never knows what will come up because of it. If you do, make certain your uniform or civilian wear is not identifiable as to your employer. Check with your employee handbook or with Human Resources for their rules on conflict of interest.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

Just wanted to say that maybe your friend wants to use your image as a marketing tool. This nurse endorses this product. I'd be very leary of doing this, if I were you.

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Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

There's a radio ad playing right now where a spokeswoman who identifies herself as an RN endorses some non-hormonal anti-hot-flash menopause snake oil. I feel it makes our profession look bad, when people claiming to be nurses promote non-evidence-based treatments. It damages public trust in us. Conflict of interest or not, I wouldn't promote anything under my professional title.

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Very good points.. the nurse angle was kind of an afterthought to using me in the campaign (I have done sporadic modeling in the past), but I was a little uneasy about it and couldn't put my finger on exactly why when they brought it up. The product is not exactly a snake oil type of thing, but I'd rather not use my title for anything other than what it was intended and that's to practice as a nurse. I could just as easily do the ad as a "soccer mom" so that's the angle I think I will tell them I will agree to if they want to use me.

Thanks. :)

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Specializes in adult ICU.

IDK what you mean by your "image" -- do you mean a photo of you? Like, a model?

I don't know what any nursing board could say if you did some modeling on the side for any product as long as you don't claim to endorse it, health related or not.

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Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

I find all these responses amusing in light of the coca cola ad portraying a nurse drinking a coke that everybody here seemed to think was ok in spite of the suggestion that perhaps it was a marketing ploy...........

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I do think you should ask your employer first, I also think you should keep in mind what other future employers would think if you choose to leave the current job you have at the moment, Just my opinion, best of luck with what ever you decide to do. :)

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Specializes in ER.

can you not be a nurse, seperate from this ad? It doesn't mean you endorse their product, if you're getting paid....

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Specializes in ER.
Very good points.. the nurse angle was kind of an afterthought to using me in the campaign (I have done sporadic modeling in the past), but I was a little uneasy about it and couldn't put my finger on exactly why when they brought it up. The product is not exactly a snake oil type of thing, but I'd rather not use my title for anything other than what it was intended and that's to practice as a nurse. I could just as easily do the ad as a "soccer mom" so that's the angle I think I will tell them I will agree to if they want to use me.

Thanks. :)

I can see if you have a preference, such as you like using Tylenol over Motrin for your own kids.... and doing an ad for that. What about other FDA approved OTC meds, such as Aspirin? If you were approached to do an ad on that... whoever says you have to endorse the product, though. What if you're just taking a paying job???

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Specializes in Critical Care, Neuro, Cardiac, Step Down.

It sounds like your image is the only thing being used. As long as your credentials and name are not used as an endorsement I see no issue or problem from a nursing / evidenced based stand point. Never hurts to run it by the employer, but I see no problem with helping out a friend in this instance.

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I'm a little unsure because I don't know exactly what the ad is going to be like (still in planning stages).. I could be dressed as a nurse but if nowhere in the ad it SAYS I'm a nurse for real, people will assume I'm just a paid model, which is really my capacity for the ad. (as far as I know I wouldn't be expected to be saying "I'm a cardiac RN and I recommend this product to all my patients!" ) Now THAT I have a huge problem with. lol If they want me to wear a nurse uniform (not tying me to the hospital) I would definitely talk to my employer's PR dept first. I think I will still tell them I am more comfortable with the "mom" angle and see what they think.

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