In a social media landscape shaped by hashtags, algorithms, and viral posts, nurse leaders must decide: Will they let the narrative spiral, or can they adapt and join the conversation?
Welcome to the HealthLeaders February 2025 cover story. Each month, our editors dive into the topics that matter most—such as healthcare innovation, leadership strategies, payer/provider wars, and patient care—delivered in a dynamic, engaging format.
What did we look at this month? It’s all about "NurseTok."
“I saw that on TikTok.”
Those five words have become an anthem of our times, sparking debates in boardrooms, breakrooms, and hospital corridors.
In an era where nurses and healthcare workers are not just caregivers but content creators, social media has become a double-edged sword—an unfiltered window into the world of healthcare, wielded with equal parts power and peril.
From frontline chronicles during the chaos of COVID-19 to viral dance trends and raw stories of burnout, the rise of “nurse influencers” has given the public unprecedented access to the heart of America’s most trusted profession.
But while this digital shift offers opportunities to amplify nursing’s voice and redefine its narrative, it also raises urgent questions: Is it possible for nurse leaders to regain control of the story when some posts expose cracks in the system? How can hospitals address growing dissatisfaction shared online without alienating their workforce or losing public trust?
With nursing’s reputation as the gold standard of ethics slipping, CNOs must step into a new role: social media strategist. The same platforms that spark division can also inspire collaboration if approached with transparency and purpose.
Nurse leaders who embrace these digital spaces can rebuild bridges, champion their teams, and reframe the conversation. Our CNO editor G Hatfield finds out how.
Read the full story here.
Amanda Norris is the Director of Content for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Social media enables the public to learn about all the different opportunities that a nursing career provides and gives nursing a greater seat at the table as leaders continue to invest and evolve.
CNOs and nurse influencers are ultimately working towards the same goal and should collaborate with one another to discuss challenges and share solutions.
CNOs should get involved with social media and use their voice and style to share best practices, successes, and meaningful recognition to nurses on their teams.