As nurses we have a critical role to play in how the media reports on health/public health issues. News media & social media have a significant influence on people’s beliefs & actions. So how do we get nurses ready to be media influencers? 1/7 @BGlickstein https://ajnoffthecharts.com/verified-nurse-media-influencers/

First, nurses need to own their expertise, then commit to gaining media competencies.

These skills teach you how to frame a clear, concise message for the audience you are trying to reach. Build the skills you need to make the case for policies that improve public health. 2/7

Second, make yourself known!

The Woodhull Study Revisited found that journalists are unsure how to find nurses for interviews & that they often have little time to track them down. How will a journalist find you, & what will they find when they do locate you on a web search? 3/7

Third, cultivate relationships w/ journalists who cover health stories.

Start by reaching out to local health reporters. Local reporting gets you traction. When a story in your area of expertise breaks, pitch that local reporter and tell them you’re a nurse from their area. 4/7

Finally, be your own nurse media maker.

Write an op-ed, commentary, editorial, or letter to the editor in response to a published article. These media opportunities get your name and expertise out there. Create a plan to achieve media goals that are meaningful to you. 5/7

Communicating science starts upstream—once it reaches the pages of a newspaper, the nightly news screens, or the Twitterverse, it’s too late. We can’t wait for Twitter to verify us, and we can’t wait for journalists to invite us to be interviewed or to contribute op-eds. 6/7

The public needs to hear frm nurses, the “most trusted profession” for reliable, science-based info. Lets work towards changing the health narrative in the media to reflect more diverse voices. Its time for nursing as a profession to verify ourselves! #nurseverified #nursetwitter