Can I be discriminated against for political beliefs?

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On facebook I have a habit of getting into discussions about the social aspects of politics. Im a conservative, I never use any racial epithets, never threaten violence and I use statistics to substantiate any claims I make. With that being said, conservative opinions are frowned upon today. With colleges and i'm assuming places of work being very liberal is there any way I could not be able to become a nurse because of me using my first amendment rights and expressing my beliefs?

Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Unless your political views are the only thing you find important in life, just discuss other, less controversial subjects. Develop other hobbies and interests, talk about them. Tone down the Facebook arguing and, as others suggested, don't friend coworkers.

I personally quit Facebook over two years ago. I have no social media outlet. One of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. It is much easier to get along with people when they don't follow me everywhere through an app on my phone. Also, as a nursing specific bonus, since I always had to be cautious when posting about work, quitting FB pushed me to develop other ways to blow off stream and process my thoughts and feelings. I know many people would not want to do that, but it worked out great for me.

Lastly, I think you'll find that if you keep your talk about these matters sort and sweet, and don't lecture anyone (even if you substantiate your claims with statistics), people will be more likely to accept your presence and be friendly. I have worked with nurses whose beliefs juxtapose mine, and I am friends with several of them. That's possible because no one takes it upon themselves to try to "educate" anyone else into a different political ideology. No one likes a know-it-all, on either side of the spectrum.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I know lots of conservative nurses who are working along side us bleeding heart liberals. And we get along, just fine, believe it or not.

They leave their tiki torches at home, and I don't wear an ACLU T-shirt to work.

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My personal advice would be to avoid discussing politics, sex, religion - in fact, any controversial topics - at work.

Freedom of Speech does not protect you from the freedoms of others to form an opinion about your speech - online or otherwise. Why introduce counter-productive stress and antagonism into your life?

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Since others have answered the explicit question posed, I would like to take a moment to offer a solution to your implicit concerns. The implicit question being, "Can I work as a nurse while continuing to shove my unsolicited opinions down everyone's throats?" The following will probably offend you, but I promise, my advice is meant to help you to find a professional environment in which you will fit in and feel comfortable.

You should seek a position at a military hospital. In this environment, nurses openly discuss their far-right views in earshot of patients and management. I'm talkin' let's form a militia in the middle of the woods and hunker in the bunker to prepare for the forthcoming apocalypse perpetrated (of course) by identity politics, liberal snowflakes, and Black Lives Matter. When these so-called professionals rail about the evils of the government, there is no sense of irony regarding the fact that their lives are 100% subsidized by the American taxpayer. Also, there is absolutely no accountability for anything that occurs within the hospital because it's the military.

And yes, they do hire civilian nurses. Good luck, friend!

There are many military members here who wouldn't appreciate your pigeon-holing their service.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
As opposed to being called nasty women, snowflakes, dirty, etc?

The nasty women thing is Ashley Judd's fault. :laugh:

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Specializes in Oncology.

My Facebook is by and large pictures of my cat and commentary on the current weather. That type of Facebook account has served me well.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I don't even really want to comment on this post, but I'm compelled. Bullet points:

1) I learned a long time ago not to discuss politics at work. Most people don't agree with me, and work is often hard enough without starting arguments with co-workers.

2) Why in the world would you assumed most places of work are 'very liberal'? Any place of work can be anything. Depends on what state, what PART of the state, what kind of profession, and on and on.

3) Back to #1 - why would you want to 'express your beliefs' at work? You're there to do a job, not discuss politics, social issues, etc.

I don't care if my patients are liberals, conservatives, black, white, brown, Asian, Native American, young, old, gay, straight, women, men - nor do I KNOW some of those things about my patients. I'm there to do medically-related stuff with them, be generally supportive, and that's it.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I don't discuss politics at work. Never, never, never. Most of my

coworkers are liberal, and I also consider them friends. My views

are mostly conservative. I just stay away from religion or politics.

Or UK/UofL basketball.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
My Facebook is by and large pictures of my cat and commentary on the current weather. That type of Facebook account has served me well.

Mine is mostly pictures of my kids, my dog, and just funny, hopefully non-

offensive stuff that I find. Sometimes I share little joys, like my daughter

doing well at her archery tourney, or my son doing well at a basketball

game, etc... Sometimes I'll make a diary post, usually about some funny

observation.

My husband is all about the political posts, and posts about 100 of them a

day. It's halfway embarrassing.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
The nasty women thing is Ashley Judd's fault. :laugh:

Actually, Trump called Hillary a "nasty, nasty woman" during the third debate and some of her supporters took ownership and made it a term of empowerment. Ashley just followed suit with her speech at the protest.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
Actually, Trump called Hillary a "nasty, nasty woman" during the third debate and some of her supporters took ownership and made it a term of empowerment. Ashley just followed suit with her speech at the protest.

Ah! Didn't know that actually.

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Ah! Didn't know that actually.

Kinda hard to believe anyone had missed that, but, here ya go:

Trump: Clinton such a nasty woman - CNN Video

That's where the entire "nasty woman" thing started. All the references to it since then, all the women embracing the "nasty woman" characterization, have been part of mocking and expressing their resistance to Trump.

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