Background: Media plays a critical role in people’s lives. It shapes people’s perceptions of healthcare and health policy. Nurses are the largest occupational group in healthcare, playing a pivotal role in caring for and promoting the well-being of populations. As the most trusted profession for 20 years, nurses are uniquely positioned to educate the public through media presence. However, nurses are seldom sourced in the media, deeming them healthcare’s invisible partner.
Method/Material: Using the 10 media competencies for nurses identified in Myers et al.’s Delphia study (2022), media engagement is introduced in three sections: uses and benefits of media, necessary media skills, and developing a media plan. Participants explore interview preparedness through situational framing and developing key messages, including a quotable sound bite. The skill is reinforced by critiquing pre-recorded interviews.
Results: Media competency training provides nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to engage with the media to improve population health. Neuroscience nurses who receive media training will be equipped to improve the quality of neuroscience health stories while increasing the visibility of nursing’s impact on patients.
Conclusions: Nurses are integral to healthcare and the education of the public on topics to improve population health. What is seen in the media is what is deemed valuable. The more nurses are sourced in the media, the more perceived value nursing brings. A more knowledgeable and healthier population is possible when the media provides the public with health news coverage, including the nurse's voice.
