Internet Recruitment of a Diverse Population of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Nurses in a Study of Substance Use and Minority Stress

Introduction There is a lack of lesbian, bisexual and gay (LGB)-focused nursing research, in part, because the population is traditionally difficult to access. This article explores the effectiveness, benefits, and limitations of online recruitment of a distinct population of LGB-identified nurses in a study of substance use and minority stress. Methodology A sample of nurses who self-identified as LGB were recruited for an online survey using organic Facebook outreach. A $5 Amazon gift card was offered as an incentive. Facebook insights data and demographic data were analyzed. Results Within 96 hours, 394 participants had completed the 101-question online survey. The majority (n = 269, 68.6%) reported accessing the survey through Facebook. Email (n = 79, 20.2%) and word of mouth (n = 44, 11.2%) also contributed to recruitment. Discussion The effectiveness of this Facebook recruitment protocol speaks to the importance of social media, survey incentives, and the "power of visibility" in recruitment of this population.