Participating in Protests?

[wanna_be]

I am a nurse and therefore believe in human rights, which naturally means that I do not support the actions of the current administration to dehumanize women, poor people, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and basically everyone who is not wealthy and white.

I have always been an activist, but now that I have a professional license I also understand the added responsibility of maintaining my professionalism in my person life. I want to participate in demonstrations, marches, and protests, but also know that my most valuable contribution is as a nurse caring for the aforementioned groups without bias.

My question is: is there any information on how to participate in demonstrations legally and to make sure I am not crossing any professional boundaries?

Thanks for understanding--I know you all are a good group of folks :)

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

The laws guarantee you the right to freedom of speech, which covers protesting. However, that doesn't mean you can't and won't face consequences from your employer and/or BON for your actions...and the Constitution won't save your skin if you find yourself sacked or at a BON hearing.

So if you're going to protest, be careful about how you do it...and all of these are IMO, so you may or may not agree with me:

• Don't do anything that breaks the law
  
• Don't identify your place of employment and/or give the impression you're representing them/speaking on their behalf
  
• Don't identify yourself as a nurse
  
• Don't give out your full name. I wouldn't even give out my first name but use a nickname/pseudonym instead
  
• Be very careful about how you act when you know the media is around
  
• Don't do something that you'll later regret (e.g., stripping naked, wearing outrageous costumes (I'm talking going way above and beyond hats), saying stupid ****, etc.).
  
• Be careful what you do on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc)
  
• Remember, the Internet is forever: it only takes a few seconds to upload something and even less for it to spread, but a lifetime for it to go away.
  

Yes, it's great that you want to advocate for the causes that you believe in. But be smart about how you do it. Otherwise you may find yourself with loads more free time to advocate for these causes because you were fired or lost your license.

[Daisy4RN]

Horseshoe, elkpark, extrapickles:

I am a little scared that you all can read my mind...I think I better go make a tinfoil hat...

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Horseshoe, elkpark, extrapickles:

I am a little scared that you all can read my mind...I think I better go make a tinfoil hat...

I guess it would be too difficult to admit that you may have written your post such that several reasonable people interpreted it in a similar way...

I have to admit on a daily basis some error I've made or some manner in which I haven't done the best job of communicating my idea. It's not the end of the world. Yet some simply can't admit to being fallible...

[GM2RN]

Good to hear. Tell your friends. :)

Please don't assume that you know who my friends are or what's in my heart (or theirs either) because of who I voted for.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

While I am for expressing your feelings/being an activist I would ask myself exactly what I am protesting. Many of those who were asked gave different reasons and had wrong information. What exactly is the president doing that you do not like. Be specific, how is he "dehumanizing women, poor people, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and basically everyone else who is not wealthy and white"... In other words think about it first. You may find that you don't have all the facts and therefore it might not be worth the risk.

Extra Pickles: Wow, why the attack?

It is relevant to know what you are protesting in the sense of being "professional" which is what she asked! She mentioned many different ideas/concerns. If she was to be at a protest and asked what/why she is protesting she should have a good answer. As others have stated you could end up on Facebook etc. and you want to appear informed and professional. And as I stated, if you really think about it you may decide its not worth the risk.

While I'm sure you didn't mean to interrogate the poster nor question her beliefs, your post did come across as doing those same things. Extra Pickles isn't the only one who noticed it. I'm sure that you feel your president has many fine qualities . . . in fact, I'm sure we can all agree that he DOES have redeeming social value. He MUST have some redeeming social value. Mustn't he?

There's plenty to protest -- I wish I could be out there with you!

[Extra Pickles]

Horseshoe, elkpark, extrapickles:

I am a little scared that you all can read my mind...I think I better go make a tinfoil hat...

Read your mind? No. Only your words. If what you said isn't what you really meant and they came out badly as patronizing and condescending I can appreciate that, but then you'd have to actually admit that your choice of words was easy to misconstrue. If what you said IS really what you meant then my response to you stands.

Your words said that that the OP should be very sure of what she's protesting about since there are so many uninformed and misinformed people who are protesting, and that is insulting to people who have chosen to take a stand against whatever it is they are taking a stand against, in this case, Trump's presidency. Your words came across as someone speaking to a child, questioning why they have made the choice that they have and they'd better think it over again before making an action they might regret. If you didn't mean it that way, you should by now know it came across that way.

We can't read your mind. Only your words.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

This email was sent to staff by my hospital's Public Affairs department. I think the section I've copied below is very relevant to this topic, and probably echoes the opinions of most hospital systems. (Facility identifiers were removed.)

How you can advocate

People often ask me: How can I speak up? How can I advocate?” Now that you have some context from me, here are two rules:

1. If you reference your employment at Hospital in any communication intended for traditional or social media, it must first be cleared by Hospital Public Relations, which is the voice of Hospital. This ensures we're speaking with one voice.
   
2. If you want to speak up, or advocate, you can – and should. All you need to do is use your personal computer and your personal time, and advocate in your own personal capacity. That means not identifying yourself as a Hospital employee so that no one can infer that Hospital shares your views.
   

[wanna_be]

Thanks for the helpful advice, friends!

Yes, I knew my original post would ruffle some feathers but I hope everyone can agree we're in the business of helping all people live full, dignified, and healthy lives, and the current administration seems to be fundamentally opposed to that goal.

Anyway, fortunately my current employer (outpatient, not hospital) is VERY politically active and encourages us to participate in activism via legislative involvement. Attended a peaceful rally yesterday, it was great. I think my line is drawn when there's a risk of arrest; as much as I can appreciate certain acts of civil disobedience in the face of injustice, I also know my license is a valuable way of fighting the good fight and I don't want to lose it :)

Appreciate the conversation!