The Influence of Nurse Influencers on Nursing Students' Professional Attitudes: A Qualitative Study

To examine the impacts of nurse influencers on nursing students' attitudes toward their profession, their motivation, and educational development.

With the rise of digital media, nurse influencers on social platforms have become visible figures who may shape nursing students' professional perspectives, motivation, and perceptions of nursing in society.

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 19 nursing students between June 2024 and February 2025. Data were gathered through face-to-face, in-depth interviews using a semi-structured guide and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method. The study was reported following the COREQ checklist.

Six main themes emerged: (1) the power of nurse influencers, (2) impact on perceptions toward the nursing profession, (3) impact on societal perception of nursing, (4) ethical and safe boundaries of social media posts, (5) impact on professional development, and (6) contribution to the educational process. Nurse influencers were seen as relatable figures ("one of us") who inspire motivation and career aspirations, while ethical violations and content mismatching reality remained critical concerns.

Findings indicate that social media nurse influencers significantly shape nursing students' professional attitudes and educational engagement. While influencers serve as a source of motivation and practical knowledge, students need guidance to critically evaluate content, particularly regarding patient privacy and ethical boundaries.

Social media nurse influencers positively affect nursing students' professional attitudes, motivation, and educational processes when the content is ethically sound. However, the potential for demotivation and negative societal perception exists. Their presence can serve as a supplementary educational tool when used responsibly.

Integrating social media literacy, digital professionalism, and ethical awareness into undergraduate nursing curricula is essential to help students develop critical awareness.

National and institutional regulations and guidelines on ethical social media use should be developed to ensure digital engagement supports professional standards and protects patient privacy.