A TikTok video criticizing the appearance of nurses and nurse practitioners has sparked widespread backlash across the platform. Many users have been calling out the original poster for what they say are racially coded criticisms and outdated ideas of professionalism.
In the now-viral video, user @thewellnessnp7, who has since made her account private, delivered a pointed critique. In it she took issue with how some nurses present themselves on the job. She claimed that long eyelashes, elaborate nails, and full makeup are “unprofessional.” The creator suggested that hybrid and online nursing programs are failing to teach students the value of professional appearance.
“I will not respect you in a professional setting if you don’t even know how to dress,” she said in the video. “Dress includes your makeup. The long eyelashes, the crazy nails… It’s unprofessional. I’m sorry. It just is.”
The TikToker shared a personal story about a clinical preceptor chastising her for wearing a wrinkled white coat. She explained that the experience taught her to take pride in how she presented herself in a medical setting. She ended her video by advising nurses and students to “Google professionalism” and condemned what she called “ghetto antics.”
“Cut out the ghetto antics,” she said. “I hate to say it, but it’s ghetto. It literally is.”
Users Clap Back at the “Ghetto” Nurse Allegations
The backlash was swift. Many TikTok users accused the original creator of using language that targets Black and Brown women specifically. They explain how her comments centered on features and beauty choices frequently associated with these communities.
In one widely circulated response, a Black woman questioned why features like lashes and makeup were deemed unprofessional at all.
“God forbid a nurse put on a little foundation, a little concealer, a little mascara on her way to work, a little gloss,” the user said. “It was really interesting the characteristics that she used to specifically say were unprofessional—characteristics that are tied to Black and Brown women.”
Another user pushed back further. She suggested that the original video was less about professionalism and more about discomfort with Black women expressing themselves confidently in professional spaces.
“Time and time again, Black women thrive and it bothers people,” the user said. “It bothers people so bad because we were never supposed to be on the same level as them, let alone surpass them.”
Other healthcare professionals chimed in with their own stories, labeling the original video as “beauty shaming.” One user, a woman in the dental field, said she’s faced similar comments. She changed her appearance to avoid criticism, but drew the line at giving up her lashes.
“I’m a believer in ‘you look good, you feel good, and you do good work,’” she said. “So if someone wants to put a little extra effort in how they look—mind your own business.”
The ongoing conversation continues to highlight deeper discussions around race, beauty standards, and professionalism. There’s a spotlight particularly on industries like healthcare, where personal expression and workplace norms often collide.