Anybody else hear about the "TikTok Nurse Abstinence" drama? Apparently a 'nurse influencer' with a lot of followers made a statement that abstinence until marriage is the best way to prevent STDs, and the internet had a meltdown.
I frankly don't really care, but I'm more concerned about the internet reaction belittling 'TikTok Nurses' as a whole. As the 'most trusted profession 18 years running,' it's a little unsettling that people think these 'nurse influencers' are total morons. Seems like bad PR for the profession as a whole, especially when you consider how often nursing is misunderstood by the population at large (aka not the 'mindless medical servants' seen on most TV medical dramas).
There are 2.8 million nurses in the U.S. I don't think this one ding dong is going to ruin nursing for the rest of us. I do find it quite interesting that she's making so many videos with scrubs on and a stethoscope around her neck then giving out non-medical info. Even giving out medical info on TikTok could be risky. I wouldn't do it.
I hear you, and I suppose that's the nature of social media.
My thought is the last two times nursing has come up in national public dialogue, it included Joy Behar and her "doctor's stethoscope" comment, then the senator "playing cards" comment. Both instances reflected the fairly demeaning mindset toward nursing that a lot of laypeople seem to hold, and in both cases, nurse jumped in and made a big ruckus about being taken more seriously as skilled, competent professionals.
In light of that, it's pretty eye-roll-inducing to see people on social media platforms who don their scubs and stethoscopes, advertise the fact that they're nurses, and then behave unprofessionally to get 'likes' (not just the nurse in this story, but many other nurses on the platform as well).
The people watching her are fans, not patients. Anybody going to Tik Tok for medical advice is definitely getting what they paid for.
And having watched a couple of videos to see what she is about, part of her shtick is her interpretation of Christianity. This is what her fan base wants, this is what she gives them. Also, it is really hard for me to imagine why anybody would watch her stuff, but apparently it's a big world out there, and people are into all kinds of weird crap.
Personally, I am not a fan of abstinence- I object on moral grounds. But, technically speaking, it is pretty effective for preventing STDs.
It does not bother me a bit that her online character is a nurse who uses the platform to promote her religion. And, while I think the message is goofy, I don't think it reflects poorly on me or my profession.
I hear you, and I suppose that's the nature of social media.
My thought is the last two times nursing has come up in national public dialogue, it included Joy Behar and her "doctor's stethoscope" comment, then the senator "playing cards" comment. Both instances reflected the fairly demeaning mindset toward nursing that a lot of laypeople seem to hold, and in both cases, nurse jumped in and made a big ruckus about being taken more seriously as skilled, competent professionals.
In light of that, it's pretty eye-roll-inducing to see people on social media platforms who don their scubs and stethoscopes, advertise the fact that they're nurses, and then behave unprofessionally to get 'likes' (not just the nurse in this story, but many other nurses on the platform as well).
But to each his own, I guess.
Agreed it's annoying AF. In my perfect world, there would be a lot fewer morons out there ?
Not sure if a previous poster has mentioned this, but actually a lot of nurses are coming out with these short videos. I saw one last night of an "ER nurse" essentially mocking ER patients amidst psych-related meltdowns and a screaming mother after her baby had just coded and died. It was pretty dark.
I don't have a problem with nurses having their own personal beliefs, but as providers we're tasked to provide evidence-based education regardless of those beliefs. I don't blame the public for having these opinions about nurses if nurses are coming forward and acting this way. Do they represent the majority of our profession? No, but the public doesn't see it that way.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
On 1/16/2020 at 8:28 AM, adventure_rn said:
Anybody else hear about the "TikTok Nurse Abstinence" drama? Apparently a 'nurse influencer' with a lot of followers made a statement that abstinence until marriage is the best way to prevent STDs, and the internet had a meltdown.
Well, she's not wrong. (please know that I'm opposed to abstinence-only sex education)
As far as nurses preaching abstinence, I think this is a poor practice and is pushing what are your religious views on the public and that's not what we do.
No, we shouldn't preach. But we do teach...
Abstinence is 100% the only way to not get pregnant or get STDs. Is it realistic in this day and age? No, many are sexually active, and wish to be. We should teach those persons the best way to protect themselves going forward from that.
As for influencers, no one influences me, regardless of media platform. That being said, those who don't want to watch her, or any other person on these various platforms, scroll on and let it go. When people hoot and holler, it gives the level of attention that the influencer craves
Well, she's not wrong. (please know that I'm opposed to abstinence-only sex education)
Yeah, she's not wrong, but if abstinence is all ya got, it's a disservice, especially coming from a nurse. I've never watched her, so I don't know how she presented her information.
We know from the history of human beings that preaching abstinence is and has always been a huge flop. Has never worked and will never work, even amongst her target audience, for all they like to preach it.
Abstinence is 100% the only way to not get pregnant or get STDs. Is it realistic in this day and age? No, many are sexually active, and wish to be. We should teach those persons the best way to protect themselves going forward from that.
As for influencers, no one influences me, regardless of media platform. That being said, those who don't want to watch her, or any other person on these various platforms, scroll on and let it go. When people hoot and holler, it gives the level of attention that the influencer craves
I agree we do teach, but not from our own personal religion but from a science evidenced based perspective.
I agree that scrolling and ignoring influencers deprives them of the attention, but sometimes if they are demeaning to our profession, we should speak up.
I am influenced by some influencers I'm not ashamed to admit. An example would be a medical doctor I follow on Instagram that reviews the science of nutrition in his podcast and I've made a change or two based on what he says.
Ten years ago, Allnurses actually influenced me to get my BSN after 16 years of having an ADN. ?
I think it started with the one nurse doing the pain medication skit. They get paid for followers..likes and views. I’m always wondering how do they have so much extra time to film and record! None of these “influencers” must work any place that I’ve ever worked lol
I agree we do teach, but not from our own personal religion but from a science evidenced based perspective.
I agree that scrolling and ignoring influencers deprives them of the attention, but sometimes if they are demeaning to our profession, we should speak up.
I am influenced by some influencers I'm not ashamed to admit. An example would be a medical doctor I follow on Instagram that reviews the science of nutrition in his podcast and I've made a change or two based on what he says.
Ten years ago, Allnurses actually influenced me to get my BSN after 16 years of having an ADN. ?
Hi, Tweety, it's nice to see you!
What if one's religion is atheism or agnosticism or something else that would likely not invoke the Bible, Koran, or other holy book?
Interesting aside: I recently heard of marriages in Muslim nations that can last for an hour, a day, a week, or other limited time frame, rather than "til death do us part". It is done by an Imam, I believe, for the purpose of a man being able to have sex with a woman without committing to a lifelong union. No, I am not putting down Islam. I am just saying that I saw this. youtube, I think.
BrisketRN, BSN, RN
916 Posts
There are 2.8 million nurses in the U.S. I don't think this one ding dong is going to ruin nursing for the rest of us. I do find it quite interesting that she's making so many videos with scrubs on and a stethoscope around her neck then giving out non-medical info. Even giving out medical info on TikTok could be risky. I wouldn't do it.