Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, Tenn., confirmed via Facebook that it has terminated a registered nurse over social media posts it said were "offensive and inappropriate."
The hospital said it fired the employee June 1 after learning of the messages over the weekend.
The hospital did not disclose the name of the employee's name. It said it is referring details of the termination to the Tennessee State Board of Nursing for an independent review.
"The comments made in the post were extremely offensive and inappropriate, and hospital officials want the community to know that they are not supported by the hospital's code of conduct and they do not reflect the views or values of Blount Memorial Hospital," the hospital posted on its Facebook page.
"Blount Memorial is committed to providing patients, families, visitors and our employees a safe and nondiscriminatory care and working environment," the post stated.
A man who identified himself as the employee's fiance is claiming responsibility for the posts, according to The Daily Times.
The hospital posted May 30 that the employee had been suspended without pay amid an internal investigation.
This story was updated at 5:27 p.m. CDT on June 2.