There has been an upsurge of videos on social media platforms which has resulted in a lot of controversy. For example, the video in question shows a nurse in a melancholic mood because she just lost a patient. I’m the video, she displays herself performing by taking off her face mask, and hands above her head in regret and anguish while she does other stuff.
However, the nurse has found herself under a lot of criticism as a lot of people who viewed the video on social media tagged her as self-promoting and called the video cringeworthy. Now a debate is raging as to whether she went too far with this act. A healthcare worker said ‘I had a lot of people die on my watch during the pandemic and this type of performative garbage makes me furious’.
This is part of a growing trend as TikTok, a social media platform, is becoming filled with healthcare workers posting their anguish in different guises. During the pandemic, America fell in love with hero healthcare workers who were being upbeat by posting videos during those trying times. Professor Michael Gusmano stated that while he doesn’t think that the incident rises to the level of unethical, she however believed that the act was mildly unprofessional.
While some nurses may use TikTok or other platforms to educate and raise awareness about healthcare topics, others have faced criticism for posting videos that could be seen as unprofessional or inappropriate. Instances where patient privacy is compromised, where the dignity of patients is not respected, or where healthcare protocols are disregarded, can understandably draw criticism from the public and the healthcare community.
It’s important to recognize that healthcare professionals, including nurses, have a responsibility to maintain professionalism and uphold patient privacy. When it comes to social media platforms like TikTok, it’s crucial to exercise caution and consider the potential implications of the content being shared.
It’s important for nurses, like any professionals, to exercise discretion and adhere to the ethical guidelines and standards set forth by their respective healthcare organizations. This helps ensure that patient confidentiality is maintained, professional reputations are upheld, and the dignity of patients is respected.