An Oregon nurse who was placed on administrative leave after she posted a TikTok video that made fun of basic measures designed to curb the spread of coronavirus has claimed she took a leave of absence from her hospital job to pursue a career in journalism.
The video was originally posted by user @Loveiskind05 and showed a nurse dressed in scrubs complete with a stethoscope in what appeared to be a hospital break room with the caption: ‘When my coworkers find out I still travel, don’t wear a mask when I’m out and let my kids have play dates.’
The nurse was later identified as Ashley Grames, who became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in October 2010 and has been a Registered Nurse (RN) since 2015 according to online records.
Salem Health hospital could not immediately be reached for comment, but a spokesperson told BuzzFeed on Monday that Grames was no longer employed at the facility.
‘The nurse in question is no longer employed with Salem Health,’ the spokesperson said without confirming if Grames had been fired.
However, Grames revealed on her Facebook page that she wasn’t fired at all.
Scroll down for video
Oregon nurse, Ashley Grames (pictured), who was placed on administrative leave after she posted a TikTok video that made fun of basic measures designed to curb the spread of coronavirus has claimed she took a leave of absence from her job to pursue a journalism career
In the post, Grames claimed Salem Health hospital hadn’t fired her despite them launching an investigation into her TikTok video. She said that she instead took a leave of absence
Grames first started the post by writing: ‘I just want thank all of my friends, fans, colleagues and fellow Nurses and a few of my news anchor friends for supporting me through out this whole ordeal.’
She then claimed Salem Health hospital hadn’t fired her despite them launching an investigation into her TikTok video.
‘I would like to set the record straight, I was not terminated; I took a leave of absence. I am focusing on the next chapter in my life which is going back to school,’ Grames said.
‘I would Like to pursue a career in Journalism and eventually become an Investigative Reporter and maybe even a News Anchor. That has always been my dream from day one,’ she wrote.
Grames’ original video made headlines toward the end of November and has since been deleted and it also appears that she deleted her TikTok. However another user made a copy of it and reposted it on their profile as a duet.
‘Imagine being an oncology nurse during a pandemic and bragging about not taking precautions,’ that user wrote.
Grames’ (right) original video made headlines toward the end of November and has since been deleted and it also appears that she deleted her TikTok. However another user (left) made a copy of it and reposted it on their profile as a duet
The clip showed Ashley Grames confessing to not taking COVID precautions
The caption that the nurse travels, doesn’t wear a mask and lets her kids have play dates goes directly against guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.
The CDC suggests less travel, wearing masks around others when social distancing is not possible and avoiding gatherings with people outside your household.
But the apparent frank confession by the nurse led to users scrambling to identify her who then promptly alerted her employer, Salem Health.
On a Facebook page Salem Health thanked people for reaching out.
Although the company did not name Grames as the nurse involved, they did say that a staff member had been ‘placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.’
A statement from the hospital read: ‘A nurse employed with Salem Health posted a video on social media which displayed cavalier disregard for the seriousness of this pandemic and her indifference towards physical distancing and masking outside of work.
‘Salem Health believes we all need to do our part to protect the vulnerable and stop the rapid spread of COVID-19.
The video, which was posted to TikTok, shocked users who then sought to identify her
The nurses’ employer shared their concern about the video and attempted to reassure people in a statement made on the company’s Facebook page
‘This includes requiring staff, patients and visitors to follow guidance from the CDC and others about mask wearing and social distancing.
‘The COVID pandemic is serious and requires a serious response. And at Salem Health we are very serious about our approach to COVID.’
Many people commented on the post, saying it was reprehensible for a nurse not be taking basic COVID-19 precautions.
‘Who would ever go to a Hospital where their nurses don’t understand basic public health protocols,’ one person asked. ‘If your staff doesn’t ‘believe’ in science how can you be a medical facility. Wonder how dirty this place is?’ said another.
Although some thought the hospital prudent for suspending her while investigating, others questioned why she was not fired immediately.
‘There should be no investigation. Fire her and take away any of her licenses. She doesn’t deserve to be a nurse if all she’s going to do is endanger some of the most immunocompromised people,’ said one Facebook user.
‘You need to evaluate your staff and ensure that they are the best possible candidates for the positions you are offering,’ another commenter said.