Sandy Summers
RN, MSN, MPH
Founder and Executive Director of The Truth About Nursing
3
Advanced Degrees4
Countries Lived In8+
Major Awards20+
Years AdvocatingAbout Sandy Summers
Since 2001, Sandy Summers has led the effort to change how the world views nursing by challenging damaging media depictions of nurses and empowering the nursing profession.
Sandy is the co-author of Saving Lives: Why the Media's Portrayal of Nursing Puts Us All at Risk. Her media advocacy work began when she and fellow Johns Hopkins graduate students started the movement in April 2001.
She speaks frequently on nursing's image and empowering nurses to change how they are perceived by the public and healthcare industry.
Education
Johns Hopkins University
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) & Master of Public Health (MPH) - 2002
Southern Connecticut State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - 1984
Outstanding Alumna Award - 2006Professional Highlights
Clinical Experience
Emergency departments and ICUs at major trauma centers including San Francisco General, Charity Hospital New Orleans, and Washington Hospital Center
International Work
Taught nursing in Cambodia, worked in New Zealand and US Virgin Islands. Nursing research for International Research Development Centre
Media Advocacy Successes
Convinced MTV to address issues with "Scrubbing In" portrayal of travel nurses
Persuaded American Family Care to stop advertising that suggested NPs are inferior to physicians
Led effort to remove naughty nurse images from Hooters commercial and Dallas Mavericks dancers
Secured public apology from Dr. Oz for naughty nurse episodes, gaining global press coverage
Stopped development of "Cali Nurse" television program featuring naughty nurses
Persuaded Lung Cancer Alliance to remove "Dr. Lung Love" PSA using naughty nurse stereotype
Convinced Heineken to alter outfits in Dos Equis commercial to not resemble nurses
Convinced Cadbury-Schweppes to cease Dentyne Ice commercial with inappropriate nurse portrayal
Multiple successes: Schick print ads, Coors Light Trauma Tour, Constellation Brands vodka campaign
Persuaded U.S. DHHS to rename campaign to "Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day"
Convinced Gillette to pull TAG Body Spray naughty nurse commercial
Led campaigns affecting "ER", Dr. Phil, and multiple major corporations
Awards & Recognition
TechNurses Lifetime Achievement Award
2025
American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year
2015 & 2009 for "Saving Lives"
Sigma Theta Tau International Award
2009 - Nursing Excellence in Public Print Media
Connecticut Nurses Association Media Award
2010
American Academy of Nursing Media Awards
2004 & 2005
Outstanding Alumna Award
Southern Connecticut State University - 2006
Selected Publications
Books
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Saving Lives: Why the Media's Portrayal of Nursing Puts Us All at Risk
Oxford University Press, Updated Second Edition, 2015 -
Chapter: "Nursing's public image: Toward a professional future"
In "Nurses and Nursing: The Person and the Profession", Routledge, 2017
Notable Op-Eds & Articles
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"Amid Omicron, nurses don't just need assistance. They need assistants."
MSNBC, December 2021 -
"The 'naughty' nurse Halloween costume was always gross. Post-Covid, it's worse."
MSNBC, October 2021 -
"Ebola? Bring it on."
Baltimore Sun, November 2014
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"Is the media image of nursing damaging the profession?"
BBC News, June 2010 -
"Reform Won't Work Without Strengthening Nursing"
Kaiser Health News, September 2009
COVID-19 Response
When the COVID-19 crisis began, Sandy returned to the clinical setting to care for ICU patients. When COVID subsided, she moved to the emergency room setting, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to hands-on patient care alongside her advocacy work.
Professional Affiliations
Personal Life
Sandy lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband and two children. She spent her childhood in Vernon-Rockville, Connecticut.
Her international experience includes living and working in Cambodia, New Zealand, and the US Virgin Islands, giving her a global perspective on healthcare and nursing.
Ready to Work with Sandy?
Bring Sandy's expertise and passion for nursing advocacy to your next event or consultation.