The social media platform TikTok is popular for the short videos posted by users throughout the world. Like any form of social media, users are wise to use the platform carefully. An account is never as anonymous as one may think, and the public can call attention to posts and demand accountability for posts. This is especially true for those in the medical profession.
Doctors and nurses are held to high professional standards. A failure to abide by these standards can trigger an investigation by the state licensing board. It is not uncommon for people to see something concerning on a social media platform, like TikTok, and report their concerns to the applicable board.
In a recent example, a user reported a nurse to the Texas Board of Nursing for comments on a TikTok post about forging COVID vaccine cards. When contacted about the report, the board stated that it would not comment about ongoing investigations—likely confirming that the nurse is currently under investigation for her comment.
These investigations can have a range of consequences. Depending on what the board finds, it could dismiss the claim or move forward with sanctions. These sanctions can include additional education, fines, suspension or even the revocation of one’s license. Nurses who face an investigation have options; you do not need to go through the process alone. You can seek legal counsel to represent your interests and better ensure a favorable outcome. This can include the presentation of evidence to the board to establish the allegations were unfounded or to explain any potential mitigating circumstances.