In Virginia, Susanna Gibson, NP, a candidate for the state legislature, was discovered to have had livestream sex acts with her husband. "Susanna Gibson encouraged viewers to send her tips—“raising money for a good cause,” she told them—in exchange for performing whatever sex acts the tipper desired. The couple had more than 5,700 followers on Chaturbate."
"The district is one of the few true toss-ups in November's election . . . No matter how the residents of Virginia's 57th District feel about their would-be delegate doing sex work on a public platform, this revelation sure does complicate the election campaign Gibson, a nurse practitioner, is currently running against Republican David Owen, a retiree and former homebuilder . . . What's worse, Gibson dramatically outspent her Republican competitor in their respective primaries, putting her at a major financial disadvantage going into the general election. In the Democratic primary earlier this year, Gibson spent $300,000 of the $377,000 she has raised to beat rival Democrat Bob Shippee, while Owen, the Republican, spent just half his funds, since he had no primary opponent."
Regardless of Ms. Gibson's politics, this shows an appalling lack of judgment. Part of me finds this funny, but it also is upsetting, as NPs have been fighting so hard for respect. She can do what she wants, but to think this would not be discovered if she ran for office? Unbelievable.
The one article I read about it made more of the idea that she was a candidate for public office and didn't mention that she was a nurse practitioner. My thoughts are that it isn't going to demean the profession in any significant way.
Sex and body positivity are a thing in 2023 so it might not be as big of a deal as it would have been in the 50's and 60's anyway. We had a president that paid off a Media star (who described his member on Twitter), engaged in locker room talk, and was an adulterer. Times have changed.
Does anyone think less of physicians because of Harold Shipman (Dr. Death)? Do the actions of Niels Hoegel - the guy who induced cardiac arrests to try and bring them back - reflect on all nurses?
Having sex in front in front of a webcam to make money probably isn't the worst thing a person can do.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
NutmeggeRN said:
Maybe she was looking for Republican votes....?
What is your thinking here? She is a Democrat. Democrats are generally liberal. Republicans are conservative. Conservatives would not support a candidate like this. And frankly, a lot of Democrats would not, either.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
MaxAttack said:
Does anyone think less of physicians because of Harold Shipman (Dr. Death)? Do the actions of Niels Hoegel - the guy who induced cardiac arrests to try and bring them back - reflect on all nurses?
Having sex in front in front of a webcam to make money probably isn't the worst thing a person can do.
They're adults. Who cares.
Nurses often have not read their states Board of Nursing (BON) Practice Act therefore unaware that many BON have "unprofessional conduct" or "moral turpitude" clause as part of RN and LPN regulations --Virginia has both. § 54.1-3007. Refusal, revocation or suspension, censure or probation
Historically, nursing boards have been on the conservative side under duty to protect the public role. It only takes one person to report this public activity for BON investigation to occur. PA has periodically suspended + refused nursing license renewal due to moral turpitude clause. So keep this in mind when deciding to engage in this type activity.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
beachynurse said:
That is one of the things that I dislike about being a nurse, being judged. While I wouldn't do what that NP did, that is her, and her husband's business, and as consenting adults have the right to make those videos if they choose.
Did the NP have the right to do what she did? Yes. That is not in question.
Should she have done it AFTER becoming a candidate for office? NO. And to then whine that it is "dirty" for her opposition to make her sex streaming public is the height of ridiculousness.
This NP showed poor judgment. And guess what? Voters have to "judge" candidates to determine who they will vote for. NPs are "judged" all the time by patients, colleagues, and supervisors.
The lesson here:
1. Do not ever assume that anything that is posted on the web, social media, or even sent to someone else via text is private. It is not. There has been a real issue with women who sent nude photos to their SO or boyfriend, then breaking up, and then that idiot man making the photos public. It can be very traumatic for those women. Try not to become one of them.
2. I think it is great for Nurses, including NPs, to run for office. However, anyone who runs for office should realize that the opposition is going to do "oppo research" to find anything that would be potentially damaging/embarrassing to get an edge in the election. That is the nature of politics. So, before running for office, make sure there isn't something like that to find. And for goodness' sake, don't do something like that AFTER becoming a candidate!
This election is very tight and control of the VA state legislature is in the balance. This stupid NP could very well cost the Democrats control of the state legislature. I'm a Republican, but I just hate to see candidates do stupid things like this, especially a nurse.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
FullGlass said:
Did the NP have the right to do what she did? Yes. That is not in question.
Should she have done it AFTER becoming a candidate for office? NO. And to then whine that it is "dirty" for her opposition to make her sex streaming public is the height of ridiculousness.
This NP showed poor judgment. And guess what? Voters have to "judge" candidates to determine who they will vote for. NPs are "judged" all the time by patients, colleagues, and supervisors.
The lesson here:
1. Do not ever assume that anything that is posted on the web, social media, or even sent to someone else via text is private. It is not. There has been a real issue with women who sent nude photos to their SO or boyfriend, then breaking up, and then that idiot man making the photos public. It can be very traumatic for those women. Try not to become one of them.
2. I think it is great for Nurses, including NPs, to run for office. However, anyone who runs for office should realize that the opposition is going to do "oppo research" to find anything that would be potentially damaging/embarrassing to get an edge in the election. That is the nature of politics. So, before running for office, make sure there isn't something like that to find. And for goodness' sake, don't do something like that AFTER becoming a candidate!
This election is very tight and control of the VA state legislature is in the balance. This stupid NP could very well cost the Democrats control of the state legislature. I'm a Republican, but I just hate to see candidates do stupid things like this, especially a nurse.
What does her legal sex streaming have to do, really, with her ability to govern? Her opponent is trying to create a moral outrage against their opponent by airing the information. Her actions may well represent a lack of judgement but it also clearly represents a different set of values relative to sex, and that seems to be the foundation of your concern.
It does seem like the issue is more political than professional in nature.
Nurses often have not read their states Board of Nursing (BON) Practice Act therefore unaware that many BON have "unprofessional conduct" or "moral turpitude" clause as part of RN and LPN regulations --Virginia has both. § 54.1-3007. Refusal, revocation or suspension, censure or probation
Historically, nursing boards have been on the conservative side under duty to protect the public role. It only takes one person to report this public activity for BON investigation to occur. PA has periodically suspended + refused nursing license renewal due to moral turpitude clause. So keep this in mind when deciding to engage in this type activity.
I can't say I understand how the public is being protected with this one.
I'm a little extra so I looked at what "unprofessional conduct" and "moral turpitude" mean in Virginia and this doesn't seem to fit into the spirit of either one of those. But a valid point. One should be aware of the laws and regulations in their particular state.
It just seems like a slippery slope. What's considered right and wrong can be deeply controversial. There are those who consider homosexuality to be a sin. Imagine being denied a license for that on moral grounds.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
toomuchbaloney said:
What does her legal sex streaming have to do, really, with her ability to govern? Her opponent is trying to create a moral outrage against their opponent by airing the information. Her actions may well represent a lack of judgement but it also clearly represents a different set of values relative to sex, and that seems to be the foundation of your concern.
It does seem like the issue is more political than professional in nature.
1. She clearly demonstrated lack of judgment. That does not bode well for her ability to be a legislator.
2. Demonstrating lack of judgment, well, calls into question her judgment in general, which is not good for clinical practice.
3. She also demonstrates a woeful ignorance of politics. That is kind of important for someone who wants to be in politics! Given that she is running for office, did she consider how this might go over with voters? Didn't she consider oppo research activities? Clearly not. Of course her opponent is trying to create moral outrage! A candidate should minimize these opportunities for their opponent(s).
Morally, obviously, reaction to her live sex streaming is a matter of values. Some people would find her behavior wrong and others are OK with it.
Anyway, it is up to Virginia voters to decide. I'll be interested to see if she wins or not.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
MaxAttack said:
What's considered right and wrong can be deeply controversial. There are those who consider homosexuality to be a sin. Imagine being denied a license for that on moral grounds.
There is no concern over NP license being denied due to sexual orientation. How on earth did you come up with that one? I believe sexual orientation is a civil rights issue and discrimination based on that is illegal.
I agree that this NP's conduct does not meet the legal definition of moral turpitude in Virginia, which covers conviction for a felony.
We're talking about politics here. Someone running for public office should just not do stupid things that give their opposition cannon fodder.
Also, for one's professional image, just don't do this kind of stuff!
And yes, while I think this is wrong, women can and do lose their jobs over this:
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
FullGlass said:
1. She clearly demonstrated lack of judgment. That does not bode well for her ability to be a legislator.
2. Demonstrating lack of judgment, well, calls into question her judgment in general, which is not good for clinical practice.
3. She also demonstrates a woeful ignorance of politics. That is kind of important for someone who wants to be in politics! Given that she is running for office, did she consider how this might go over with voters? Didn't she consider oppo research activities? Clearly not. Of course her opponent is trying to create moral outrage! A candidate should minimize these opportunities for their opponent(s).
Morally, obviously, reaction to her live sex streaming is a matter of values. Some people would find her behavior wrong and others are OK with it.
Anyway, it is up to Virginia voters to decide. I'll be interested to see if she wins or not.
Quite a number of foolish people with questionable morals and values have gotten themselves elected and thrust into the public spotlight recently. Their politics are also dangerous and destructive. Is she advocating some irresponsible public policy?
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
FullGlass said:
There is no concern over NP license being denied due to sexual orientation. How on earth did you come up with that one? I believe sexual orientation is a civil rights issue and discrimination based on that is illegal.
I agree that this NP's conduct does not meet the legal definition of moral turpitude in Virginia, which covers conviction for a felony.
We're talking about politics here. Someone running for public office should just not do stupid things that give their opposition cannon fodder.
Also, for one's professional image, just don't do this kind of stuff!
And yes, while I think this is wrong, women can and do lose their jobs over this:
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
toomuchbaloney said:
Quite a number of foolish people with questionable morals and values have gotten themselves elected and thrust into the public spotlight recently. Their politics are also dangerous and destructive. Is she advocating some irresponsible public policy?
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,359 Posts
The one article I read about it made more of the idea that she was a candidate for public office and didn't mention that she was a nurse practitioner. My thoughts are that it isn't going to demean the profession in any significant way.
Sex and body positivity are a thing in 2023 so it might not be as big of a deal as it would have been in the 50's and 60's anyway. We had a president that paid off a Media star (who described his member on Twitter), engaged in locker room talk, and was an adulterer. Times have changed.