ALL NURSES this affects all of you

Nurse1966 · Sep 22, 2009

I don't know that Maryland has mandated it yet, but one of the facilities that I work has. No shot, no work. I, too, feel like my civil liberties are being trampled on. I would (and always have) gotten the flu shot, I just don't want a law that tells me I have to. I'm an intelligent adult, I can make my own decisions on what's best for me, I don't need the government, any government, telling me what to do. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but such is life. Isn't there a country music song that says "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything?" Well, I stand for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 22, 2009

I live in New York and yes, it is mandatory that all health care workers be vaccinated for seasonal flu as well as H1N1. I haven't gotten a flu shot since 2003 until yesterday. The jury is out to me regarding H1N1 because it is too new; however, I do believe that vaccination has certainly curbed many illnesses.

I am not that worried about it, though. I am also a vaccination nurse for the US Army and I have seen these guys get repeated series of vaccinations due to poor record keeping (unfortunately) and they are walking this earth. This situation reminds me of those soliders, though, because they don't have choices. It is either that there is proof in the medical records or not. If not, then, they are mandated to get the vaccinations, even if they probably got the same ones the week before.

I do believe that as laypeople, our rights are sort of taken away by this. But, worried about it...not yet.

Schmoo1022 · Sep 22, 2009

I agree, I always get it. I don't know how I would feel if I was mandated to get it though. Then again...there are many immunizations that I DO have to have or wouldn't be able to work. So?

SpringerCab · Sep 22, 2009

The hospital I work at has not mandated it yet. If we take the flu shot though we get a star and if not we get a frowny face. Once we get the sticker we are supposed to post it on a sheet of paper next to our names. Talk about treating someone as an adult, this is not the way to do it IMHO.

Aviationurse · Sep 22, 2009

in our state...they are asking volunteers to give the swine flu vaccination....i am jobless...( agency is cancelling me and am on standby and getting cancelled) considering volunteering.....

:redbeathe

nurturing_angel · Sep 22, 2009

I just spoke to our employee health nurse today and she said that as of this time, we are not being mandated to recieve the vaccine. Due to my own chronic health conditions I usually get my yearly flu vaccines anyway but I am not going to be thrilled to be mandated to have them. And I really don't know if I will get a swine flu vaccine or not. I am taking no chances with a vaccine that has been just thrown together and is untested. If I am mandated to get one, I may have to take the winter off LOL!

:clpty:

nurturing_angel · Sep 22, 2009

The hospital I work at has not mandated it yet. If we take the flu shot though we get a star and if not we get a frowny face. Once we get the sticker we are supposed to post it on a sheet of paper next to our names. Talk about treating someone as an adult, this is not the way to do it IMHO.

Are you serious? This is mature!!!! LOL!!!! :jester:

bds165 · Sep 22, 2009

"I don't know that Maryland has mandated it yet, but one of the facilities that I work has. No shot, no work. I, too, feel like my civil liberties are being trampled on. I would (and always have) gotten the flu shot, I just don't want a law that tells me I have to. I'm an intelligent adult, I can make my own decisions on what's best for me, I don't need the government, any government, telling me what to do. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but such is life. Isn't there a country music song that says "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything?" Well, I stand for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Yay! I love country music references:yeah:....How about "Take this job and shove it" or "I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E" or "Hit the Road Jack!" (Ok, not country music but it seemed to fit)

Stand for...

Life: It's your life, don't take the shot

Liberty: You have the liberty to move out of state and get another job

Happiness: I dare say the above would make you very happy

"I fell in...to a burning ring of fire...I went down, down, down...and the flames went higher....I'm about to get burned, burned, burned.....:chuckle

flashpoint · Sep 22, 2009

My facility doesn't mandate it, but...if you decline the seasonal flu shot for any reason other than a medical reason not to get it and if you miss work for diagnosed influenza, they will consider it an unexcused absence. They can terminate you for one or two unexcused absences...mandate termination after three. I'm sure I'll get it...I usually do...not sure about the swine flu one.

dcampbell · Sep 22, 2009

So far, many of you have posted that you will get the flu shot but are either not going to, or are unsure about getting the H1N1 vaccine.

If the H1N1 vaccine were the vaccine being mandated, would you get it anyway or refuse and risk job loss?

If enough nurses refused to get the H1N1 vaccine, would the hospitals have no choice but to change a policy that required it or risk not having enough staff for the hospitals/facilities?

As I posted on another thread, even if all HCW's were vaccinated against EVERYTHING, would it make a difference in infection rates as long as unvaccinated visitors roam the hospitals, kissing and hugging on the patient, without washing their hands or wearing masks?

litbitblack, ASN, RN · Sep 22, 2009

Good point. No I would not get it. Haven't gotten it but once and had a reaction. It only protects against 3 strains at the most and thats not enough. i wash my hands all the time and we are careful.