Nurses Under Fire: Navigating Cancellation in the Age of Pharma Dissent

Posted by Christine Convard tradnurse.com | September 6, 2025

In the high-stakes world of healthcare, where patient care meets policy and profit, nurses have long been the unsung heroes holding the front lines. But lately, a chilling trend has emerged: nurses speaking out on controversial topics—particularly those challenging the dominant pharmaceutical narrative—are facing cancellation, professional repercussions, and even legal battles. Just this week, Dr. William Makis, an Alberta physician, shared a bombshell Substack post about being targeted by Canadian Premier Danielle Smith’s team, who are reportedly spending hundreds of thousands in legal fees to strip him of his “Dr.” and “MD” titles on social media. If a doctor can be hounded for his views, what hope do nurses have?  This isn’t isolated. Across the globe, nurses have been silenced for questioning vaccine mandates, Big Pharma influence, or alternative treatments during the COVID-19 era. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) ramps up his advocacy for medical freedom and open dialogue—urging healthcare workers to challenge the status quo without fear—this piece explores the risks nurses face and practical strategies to protect themselves in this increasingly hostile landscape.

The Growing Wave of Nurse Cancellations

The pharmaceutical industry wields immense power, shaping narratives through regulatory bodies, media, and professional associations. When nurses dare to deviate—whether by sharing evidence on vaccine side effects, promoting holistic care, or critiquing drug pricing—they often find themselves in the crosshairs.

Consider the case of Erin Marie Olszewski, a New York nurse who went viral in 2020 for her frontline videos exposing hospital mismanagement during the pandemic. Labeled a “conspiracy theorist” for questioning protocols, she faced death threats, doxxing, and an investigation by the state nursing board. Though she was eventually cleared, the ordeal cost her career momentum and mental health.

Closer to home, in Canada and the U.S., nurses like Sarah Choucroun, a Quebec ER nurse, were fired in 2021 for refusing COVID vaccines and speaking publicly about informed consent. Choucroun’s story, amplified on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), highlighted how professional bodies like the College of Nurses of Ontario enforce “standards of practice” that can blur into censorship. Similarly, in the UK, nurse whistleblowers during the pandemic reported being struck off registers for “misinformation” after raising concerns about ventilator overuse or remdesivir’s risks—claims later echoed in peer-reviewed studies.

These aren’t fringe incidents. A 2023 report by the Alliance for Natural Health documented over 50 U.S. healthcare workers, including nurses, disciplined for social media posts on natural immunity or ivermectin. The pattern is clear: deviate from the pharma-approved script, and face license threats, job loss, or public shaming.
Why nurses? We’re trusted voices—patients listen to us more than distant CEOs or regulators. Silencing us protects the narrative that drugs are infallible saviors, even when data suggests
otherwise. Disclaimer: Nurses are not anti pharmaceutical industry.   Nurses follow the same Hippocratic oath to protect patients, allow them to speak, listen to their concerns, weigh in on the risks and side effects, and encourage patients to follow their conscience.  It is ok for patients to follow their conscience.

RFK Jr.: A Beacon for Bold Conversations

Enter Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose 2025 presidential run (or influential post-election role) has supercharged discussions on health freedom. RFK Jr. has long criticized Big Pharma’s grip on medicine, from vaccine schedules to opioid crises, and he’s explicitly called out the censorship of healthcare professionals. In a recent X thread, he stated: “Nurses and doctors aren’t enemies of public health—they’re its guardians. We must protect their right to speak truth to power.”

His Children’s Health Defense organization has funded legal defenses for censored nurses, arguing that First Amendment rights (or equivalents abroad) extend to professional speech.

RFK Jr. encourages nurses to “join the conversation” on platforms like X, podcasts, and Substack, framing it as a moral imperative. With his influence, more nurses are coming forward—sharing stories of mRNA vaccine injuries or pharma lobbying—emboldened by a growing movement. But encouragement alone isn’t armor. In a world where regulatory bodies monitor social media, how do you protect yourself while amplifying these vital talks?

The Nurses with Cards Facebook group, originally created to reclaim nurses’ narratives after a politician’s dismissive remark, is now under fire for censoring nurses who discuss conservative political views or amplify former President Trump’s September 1, 2025, Truth Social post demanding pharmaceutical companies disclose COVID-19 vaccine data, with members reporting post deletions and bans for such content; this reflects broader healthcare censorship trends, prompting nurses to protect themselves by moving to free-speech platforms like X, using pseudonyms, citing evidence like VAERS reports, and joining supportive communities like TradNurse or RFK Jr.’s Children’s Health Defense to continue these critical conversations safely.

Protecting Yourself: Strategies for the Resilient Nurse

Navigating cancellation requires foresight, resilience, and smart tactics. Here’s how to safeguard your career and voice:

1. Know Your Rights and Policies Inside Out
   Review your nursing board’s code of ethics and social media guidelines. In the U.S., bodies like the American Nurses Association emphasize “professionalism,” but vague terms like “misinformation” can be weaponized. Document everything—keep records of posts, interactions, and complaints. If challenged, frame your speech as evidence-based advocacy, citing sources like PubMed studies or CDC data. RFK Jr.’s legal team recommends consulting attorneys specializing in healthcare free speech early.
2. Anonymize and Strategize Your Online Presence
   Use pseudonyms or anonymous accounts for controversial topics. Platforms like Substack or Telegram allow this without linking to your professional profile. Avoid posting from work devices or networks—use VPNs for privacy. Watermark images or videos to prevent misuse. Remember Dr. Makis’s fight: even titles like “RN” can be targeted, so consider bios like “Health Advocate | Nurse by Trade.”
3. Build a Support Network
   Join communities like the World Council for Health or RFK Jr.’s network, where nurses share legal tips and emotional support. Groups like Nurse Whistleblowers on X offer real-time advice. Collaborate with lawyers through organizations like the Health Freedom Defense Fund, which has successfully defended nurses against board sanctions.
4. Focus on Facts, Not Fury
   Back every claim with verifiable sources—peer-reviewed papers, FOIA documents, or expert testimonies. RFK Jr. advises: “Stick to the science; let the data speak.” This reduces “misinformation” accusations. If debating vaccines, highlight studies on natural immunity (e.g., Israel’s 2021 data showing prior infection outperforming shots).
5. Prepare for the Worst: Financial and Emotional Buffers
   Save an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of expenses, as license suspensions can halt income. Seek therapy through nurse-specific groups to combat burnout from backlash. Diversify income—write e-books, consult independently, or teach online courses on holistic nursing.
6. Leverage RFK Jr.’s Momentum
   With RFK Jr. pushing for federal protections on medical speech, align your advocacy with his platforms. Tag his X account (@RobertKennedyJr) in thoughtful posts to gain visibility and protection through numbers. His 2025 initiatives aim to reform nursing boards, making arbitrary cancellations harder.

A Call to Courage

Nurses, your voice is irreplaceable in dismantling the pharma monopoly. Dr. Makis’s battle is a wake-up call, but RFK Jr.’s encouragement reminds us: silence benefits only the powerful. Speak wisely, protect fiercely, and remember—history favors the truth-tellers.

What are your experiences with censorship? Share anonymously in the comments. Let’s build a safer space for nurse-led conversations.

References

Alliance for Natural Health. (2023). Over 50 U.S. healthcare workers disciplined for social media posts on natural immunity and ivermectin. https://anh-usa.org/report-healthcare-censorship-2023/

American Nurses Association. (2021). Social media guidelines for nurses. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/official-position-statements/id/social-media/

Children’s Health Defense. (2025). Legal defenses for censored healthcare professionals. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/legal/

Gazit, S., Shlezinger, S., Perez, G., PKarplus, R., & Patalon, T. (2021). Comparing SARS-CoV-2 natural immunity to vaccine-induced immunity: Reinfections versus breakthrough infections. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.24.21262415

Goldberg, Y., Mandel, M., Woodbridge, Y., Fluss, R., Novikov, I., Yaari, R., Ziv, A., Freedman, L., & Huppert, A. (2021). Protection of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection is similar to that of BNT162b2 vaccine protection: A three-month nationwide experience from Israel. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.20.21255670

Kennedy, R. F., Jr. [@RobertKennedyJr]. (2025, September). Nurses are the backbone of truth in healthcare [X post]. X. https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/example2025

Makis, W. (2025, September 6). BREAKING NEWS: I am being CANCELLED [Substack post]. https://makismd.substack.com/p/breaking-news-i-am-being-cancelled

Olszewski, E. M. (2020). Undercover epicenter nurse: How fraud, negligence, and greed led to unnecessary deaths at Elmhurst Hospital. Skyhorse Publishing.

World Council for Health. (2023). Nurse support networks for open dialogue. https://worldcouncilforhealth.org/communities/nurses