How expressing personal and political opinions can get nurses into trouble – and how to avoid it

When and how to express personal or political views in public while staying on the right side of your employer and the NMC code

Everyone has the right to express their personal and political beliefs. But those who act in a professional capacity need to ensure they are not in breach of their contract of employment or conditions of registration when they do so.

There are two possible scenarios in which a nurse’s personal or political opinions could be seen to get in the way of their professional work. The first is when they undertake non-work-related activities in the course of their employment. An example would be a nurse who is campaigning for