Steps to Becoming a Professional Nurse Influencer

With the invention of social media and the digital era in which we live, the role of a nurse has expanded beyond bedside care.  It has become an ethical obligation for nurses to represent the profession on social media through public engagement, education, and advocacy. As nurses increasingly become online voices of expertise, the concept of the “nurse influencer” has gained academic and professional interest.

According to Gentry & Prince-Paul (2021), a nurse influencer is defined as “a professional nurse who uses social media platforms to educate, advocate, and engage with the public while maintaining professional standards.”

Are you a nurse considering becoming a nurse influencer? I have constructed an academic blueprint based on Gentry & Prince-Paul findings to guide your journey responsibly and effectively.

Step 1: Understand the Concept

It's essential to understand what it means to be a nurse influencer. Influencing is not just about popularity, follower counts, or likes. The core responsibilities of being a nurse influencer include:

• Health education

• Advocacy for patients and the nursing profession

• Engagement with current health issues and policy

• Professional representation of nursing values

Tip: Reflect on your own nursing philosophy. How can your online presence align with your ethics and your scope of practice?

Step 2: Define Your Intent

Nurse influencers must operate with intention. Some intentional categories include:

• Clinical education (e.g., medication safety, wound care tips)

• Lifestyle + wellness (e.g., nurse burnout prevention, mental and physical health)

• Policy advocacy (e.g., discussing healthcare access or staffing ratios)

• Professional support (e.g., mentorship or nurse advocacy)

Ask yourself: What are my experiences and how does my knowledge align with my clinical role and professional goals?

Step 3: Maintain Professional Identity, Boundaries, and HIPAA

A significant risk for nurse influencers is blurred lines between personal and professional roles. The article emphasizes:

• Protecting patient confidentiality (never share identifiable case info)

• Following employer social media policies

• Upholding nursing codes of ethics (ANA, NCSBN guidelines)

• Avoiding the dissemination of misinformation or unverified content

Remember: Even if your account says “views are my own,” you represent the nursing profession.

Step 4: Engage With Evidence-Based Content

Professional nurse influencers use their platforms to translate research and clinical guidelines into content the public can understand.  This means:

• Avoiding anecdotal-only information

• Citing sources (CDC, WHO, peer-reviewed journals)

• Presenting facts in culturally competent and trauma-informed ways

Example: Don't just say “Wash your hands".  Instead, provide statistics on its impact or explain how "breaking the chain" protects vulnerable populations.

Step 5: Create Authentic, Ethical, and Inclusive Content

The greatest takeaway from this article is that successful nurse influencers are authentic, ethical, and inclusive. They use their platforms to:

• Advocate for health equity

• Address nursing disparities

• Promote diversity in healthcare

• Collaborate, not compete, with other health professionals

Voice: Let your opinion reflect a respectful, inclusive, and evidence-based tone.

Step 6: Evaluate Impact and Reflect

Professional influencers should reflect on their influence and the level of audience engagement. Consider:

• What is your feedback telling you?

• Are you promoting positive change?

• Is your platform still aligned with nursing professionalism?

Metrics of success should go beyond likes. Nurses must consider knowledge sharing, professional collaboration, and policy engagement.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a nurse influencer is a powerful way to elevate the profession and invest in public health through intentionality, professionalism, and evidence-based practice. As Gentry & Prince-Paul (2021) remind us, the nurse influencer is not a trend but an emerging professional identity.

🔗 Full article:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nuf.12516.

Reference:

Gentry, H., & Prince-Paul, M. (2021). The nurse influencer: A concept synthesis and analysis. Nursing Forum, 56(1). 181-187. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12516