Flu shots for students

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'm curious.... Are any of your schools requiring that nursing students get flu shots (seasonal and/or swine flu) this year? Are the schools making the shots easily accessable or are you on your own to acquire the vaccine?

Are any of your clinical agencies requiring either vaccine?

[JulesRN10]

i was very fortunate that one of my clinical sites offered the students flu shots last year. i think we can also get them here at the health clinic for a reduced price ($7 i think).

[rainydaydream]

Our school gives them to all students in the health programs free of charge.

[CuriousMe]

Flu shots are strongly encouraged, but not required. They are provided by our SON for free.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'm happy to hear that schools are making the vaccine readily available.

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

We were told yesterday in class that they're now making all hospital employees (including students) get the flu shot. I'm ticked! Before the time comes I'll be finding out from the instructor if getting a waiver is going to be a problem. They can't make anyone do anything...vaccines included.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure yet. I imagine we'd be in the priority group to get the H1N1 vaccine since we're around patients in clinicals. I talked to my doctor about that one and she said that supply will likely be through employers for health care workers and that I'd likely not be able to get it from her.

Not sure if they offer the regular flu shot either- I volunteered with a nurse practitioner last season and she gave me a shot for free. I'll probably have to pay this year

[CuriousMe]

We were told yesterday in class that they're now making all hospital employees (including students) get the flu shot. I'm ticked! Before the time comes I'll be finding out from the instructor if getting a waiver is going to be a problem. They can't make anyone do anything...vaccines included.

You're right, no one can make you get a vaccine, but they can make a vaccine a requirement to stay in the program. You won't be forced to get the shot, but you might give up your seat in your program by declining.

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

You're right, no one can make you get a vaccine, but they can make a vaccine a requirement to stay in the program. You won't be forced to get the shot, but you might give up your seat in your program by declining.

This is what I'm going to find out when the time comes. They also say it's a requirement for kids to go to school, but it's not so. I know my college is ok as far as waivers go and I'm assuming it's the same for the program but like I said I'll have to find out. It's a law...they have to except waivers so I don't see why the nursing program will be any different. I think it's BS.

[CuriousMe]

This is what I'm going to find out when the time comes. They also say it's a requirement for kids to go to school, but it's not so. I know my college is ok as far as waivers go and I'm assuming it's the same for the program but like I said I'll have to find out. It's a law...they have to except waivers so I don't see why the nursing program will be any different. I think it's BS.

I wish you the best as you pursue that, but it often works differently for nursing school. If the clinical site requires it (and the law for schools and employers are often very different), then the program can drop you. They're not directly doing it because you didn't get the vaccine (like a regular college program would), they drop you because you can no longer participate in clinicals and you can't pass the program without clinicals.