Do It for TikTok, Get FIRED: Clinic Staff Lose Jobs After Cringe Patient-Shaming Video

Patients trust nurses with their bodies, their vulnerabilities, and sometimes even their deepest fears. That’s a big responsibility, and it extends beyond the bedside—even into the digital world. A recent controversy at a Sansum urgent care clinic in Santa Barbara, California, offers important lessons about social media boundaries for nurses.

In September 2025, nearly a dozen staff members at this Sutter Health-owned clinic were fired following the viral spread of a TikTok video that appeared to mock patients undergoing gynecological exams. The video, featuring clinic staff commenting on stains left on exam tables, drew swift backlash and ignited conversations about professionalism and patient dignity. 

News coverage and Sutter Health’s official statements refer to those fired as “clinic employees,” “medical staff,” or “healthcare workers”—not specifically as “nurses.” The term “staff” included anyone shown knowingly participating in the video; news sources do not specify whether the group was exclusively nurses or included other office, administrative, or support staff. The individual who originally posted the video was reported to be a former clinic employee at the time of posting.

Social Media and Patient Privacy: A Recipe for Disaster

Gynecological exams are already anxiety-inducing for many patients. According to a 2023 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists survey, 35% of women report anxiety about these visits, with fear of judgment a major factor. Viral social media posts targeting patient experiences could risk deepening those fears.

@ivangtvnews These nurses are being fired for the video they made making fun of patients #sutterhealth #california #nurses #foryou ♬ original sound - IvanGtv News

This raises a wider question: Where is the line between personal and professional conduct online? Social media-related violations are climbing—recent data shows a 37% increase over five years, mostly involving patient privacy breaches. Disciplinary action, up to job loss and license consequences, may follow. Each situation is unique, and investigations should allow for due process before final decisions are made regarding staff discipline.

It’s also important to note that social media missteps can sometimes arise from stress, burnout,  lapses in judgment and other reasons—not just from ethical disregard. The high-pressure environment of healthcare can contribute to mistakes, highlighting a likely need for regular support and resiliency programs.

@ghj.dyjnb Looks like everyone is getting fired #sansumclinic #healthcareworker #womenshealthcare #fyp #nursesoftiktok ♬ original sound - Ghj Dyjnb

Why Workplace Culture Matters

This incident involved multiple staff members—not just one individual—suggesting possibly deeper cultural issues in the workplace. Research published in the Journal of Nursing Administration found that facilities with regular ethics training and explicit social media policies had 42% fewer patient privacy violations. Calling for regular education, clear boundaries, and supportive leadership is essential.

A culture of accountability is critical. Raising concerns may be uncomfortable, but it’s preferable to letting inappropriate behaviors persist. Everyone shares responsibility for the profession’s reputation.

Keeping It Professional: What the Guidelines Say

The American Nurses Association, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and state boards reinforce these principles for nurses:

• Respect patient privacy and confidentiality at all times, on and off duty 
• Never post patient-related content—even anonymized details can be damaging or traceable.
• Stay mindful of the impact posts may have on patients, employers, and colleagues.
• Know and follow your organization’s social media policy.
• Recognize that stress and fatigue can heighten lapses in judgment—seek support if needed.
• Remember, nothing online is truly private, and posts can be cited in regulatory investigations 

Protecting Patient Trust in the Digital Age

Every patient deserves respect and dignity, both in person and online. Clinical skills matter; so do empathy and trust. If workplace discussions about social media boundaries haven’t happened recently, suggest training and policy review. And if issues do arise, advocating for fair and context-sensitive investigation is important.

This TikTok controversy is a cautionary tale for nursing—but also an opportunity to reinforce the values that define the profession. By recommitting to compassionate care and professional boundaries, we protect our patients, our colleagues, and ourselves—both at work and on social media.

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