Nurses have always been key players in healthcare, providing not only bedside care but also patient education, advocacy, and emotional support.
And in recent years, more nurses have turned to social media to amplify their voices and educate the public on critical health issues. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn have allowed nurses to share their stories, demystify healthcare, and even advocate for policy change.
While social media presence is growing among nurses, there remains a significant shortage of nurses in the mainstream media where far-reaching, more impactful conversations often happen.
Why nurses need to lead media conversations
Social media is an excellent starting point that enables nurses to reach diverse audiences, build communities, and engage directly with followers. However, mainstream media outlets have the power to reach millions, shape public opinion, and influence policy decisions in ways that social media alone cannot.
To maximize our impact as healthcare advocates, nurses must learn to navigate both worlds. Despite having the experience and insights needed to drive these broader conversations, many nurses are not visible in mainstream media where major healthcare decisions are influenced.
The underrepresentation of nurses in mainstream media has deep roots. Historically, nursing has been viewed as a profession focused on bedside care rather than public discourse. While this perception is slowly changing, nurses still face barriers when trying to break into high-profile media roles.
The growing use of social media among nurses is a positive step, but to truly effect change, we need to be present on primetime news, in health segments, and as expert guests on radio shows — places where public health narratives are shaped.
A media engagement checklist for nurses
The need for nurses to engage across both social and mainstream media is clear, but how do we get there? Here’s a practical, 10-item checklist to help you establish yourself as a media-savvy nurse who can navigate both arenas:
1. Take a public speaking, writing, or journalism class
While social media often allows for more casual communication, mainstream media requires polished public speaking and clear messaging. Classes in public speaking or journalism can enhance your ability to effectively communicate across different platforms, whether it’s a local news interview or a LinkedIn Live discussion.
2. Enroll in media training for nurses
Consider specialized media training that caters to healthcare professionals, like the MediaRX Academy, next cohort starting January 2025. While social media helps you connect with communities, this program teaches you how to navigate the more formal structures of mainstream media, translating your clinical insights into powerful public messages that can drive broader change.
Watch Nurse Alice’s webinar on how to shape health policy and public perception in the media.
3. Advocate for media education in nursing programs
Push for media literacy to be included as part of nurse leadership programs and nursing school curricula. Social media skills are often self-taught, but mastering mainstream media requires structured training to ensure nurses can represent the profession effectively in high-stakes settings.
4. Introduce yourself to media outlets
While it’s great to have a presence on social platforms, reaching out to traditional media outlets — like local TV stations, radio channels, and newspapers — can expand your influence to a wider, more diverse audience. Let them know you’re interested in serving as a content expert on healthcare topics.
Always keep HIPAA in mind, and make sure your employer’s policies don’t directly prohibit contact with the media before you reach out. Your employer may have designated spokespersons and may require you to refrain from mentioning or representing your employer if you’re not an official spokesperson for the organization.
5. Create and update organization policies
Advocate for policies that promote and support nurse engagement in all forms of media. While social media offers fast-paced engagement, policies should also encourage nurses to participate in broader media discussions without compromising patient privacy or professional integrity.
6. Send out press releases and pitches
Collaborate with nursing schools, associations, or healthcare organizations to develop press releases and pitch ideas to mainstream media outlets. While social media posts often have shorter lifespans, press releases, and pitches can generate deeper stories that have a longer-lasting impact.
7. Create your own content
Use social media as a testing ground to refine your message and engage with audiences in real time. Then translate successful themes or stories into formats suitable for mainstream media, such as articles/blogs, podcasts, or TV interviews. By mastering both spaces, you can maximize your impact.
8. Optimize your personal platform
Your social media presence is a great way to attract attention, but your profile should also be optimized for broader media engagement. Use keywords that reflect your expertise and highlight any media appearances to build credibility as a trusted source.
9. Collaborate with media-affiliated associations
Engage with professional organizations that have media affiliations. For example, nursing associations often have partnerships with news channels or health-focused publications, which can help you transition from social media to more traditional media formats.
10. Pitch a topic you’d like to discuss
Start by testing topics on social media to see what resonates. Once you have a clear, compelling message, pitch it to mainstream media outlets. Whether it’s mental health, patient safety, healthcare policy, or preventive care, tailor your pitch to match the media outlet’s audience and format.
Why now?
While social media has given nurses a much-needed platform to share their stories and engage with communities, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. To truly shape healthcare narratives, nurses must also be present in mainstream media, where larger public health discussions and policy debates take place.
The stakes are high. When nurses remain absent from mainstream media, critical perspectives are lost, and public health decisions lack the insights that nurses provide. By engaging across both social and mainstream media, nurses can drive healthier communities, advocate for patient safety, and ensure their voices are heard where it matters most.
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