Media Watch Letter Templates

Hi Everyone!
I know it can sometimes be daunting to write letters to address the image of nursing in media. Not to worry!

"Media watch" letters template addressing the positive and negative images are posted below. Your words are powerful! I encourage you to use them as guides and tailor it as needed.

Positive Media Watch Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association, thank you for your recent accurate portrayal of nursing. The nursing profession has struggled for close to two hundred years, with negative and inappropriate perceptions. Nurses are intelligent, educated individuals who are dedicated to saving lives and helping people with critical illnesses.

We currently have a national, as well as global, nursing shortage. The American Nurses Association predicts a shortage of 1 million nurses by the year 2010. Positive images of nursing in the media are not only socially responsible, but are also necessary to combat this shortage.

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association and 3 million educated professional nurses, I thank you for your appropriate depiction of nursing. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Negative Media Watch Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

Your recent depiction of the nursing profession is inaccurate and misleading. Nurses are intelligent, highly educated, professional men and women who are dedicated to saving lives and helping people heal from serious illness. Many nurses have Master’s and Doctorate degrees and work with physician colleagues as the primary health care provider for adults, the elderly and children. It is time to cast aside dated stereotypes and show the true image of nursing.

We currently have a national, as well as global, nursing shortage. The American Nurses Association predicts a shortage of 1 million nurses by the year 2010. An accurate portrayal of nursing is both respectful and necessary. Negative images aggravate the shortage, and are socially irresponsible.

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association, I ask you to discontinue your inappropriate depiction of nursing. Next time you feel the need to use a nurse’s image in the media, take into consideration the 3 million educated professional nurses that are keeping this country alive. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Again, please use this as a resource!

Sincerely,

Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee

San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com