I am a nursing student in NY about to take NCLEX in a few days. In New York they passed a bill about the Mandatory Flu Shot. I am all for patient safety and preventing a world wide Invasion (u know that movie with Nicole Kidman) get your shot kind of sickness but this is ridiculous and the fact that it happened in NEW YORK CITY first scares the crap out of me and seemingly out of the blue. I see this issue is posted in the Pandemic section but this is a general nursing concern because I mean once again:
it happened in NEW YORK CITY first, it can definitely happen to you in your state
what else are they gonna mandate?
that's why I think it should be in the general nursing forum section...
off my soapbox now and retreating back :chair:
does anybody else see where I am going with this... I mean where does this end because this shouldn't have begun
this can get ugly relatively quickly.
And it could be your state next with a flu shot or something else
Wow guys... larger fish to fry? Just got my regular flu shot last week. Geez! You infuse people with all sorts of stuff everyday and you are having flu shot issues? Hey, you had to get your shots when you were all kids to be allowed in school too. Life goes on.
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.
My daughter was told by her 3rd grade teacher that she didn't get stickers and stars anymore because she was a big girl.
I guess I should have been a little clearer about the issue at hand which is our rights... at least mine feel a little impinged upon
NOT the taking of the shot but the fact that we have no choice AND that this moved so quickly in NYC that no one really had a chance to oppose because really like someone else posted what about all the pt.'s visitors that aren't vaccinated? What about housekeeping? What about ... I mean the list goes on.. all under the premise to protect the public which I am all for but I don't know if I am if it impedes on my liberties because if it does where does it stop.
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?
I doubt it. Given the difficulty so many nurses are having finding jobs they would just hire those of us who are willing to take the vaccine.
I also work in a hospital, that the flu shot is being strongly recommended. We are to either get the flu shot or wear a surgical mask all flu season, for all of our shifts. Also when the H1N1 is available, the same rules apply. Its not a matter of taking a flu vaccine, its being mandated to do so. I also have strong reservations concerning getting a vaccination that hasnt been around long enough to truly know the real side effects. I also can not wear a surgical mask for 12 hours... I have to wear rx glasses and it foggs them up every time, not to mention it it is harder to breath. What else after this will they make manditory, its not fair!
What if the true purpose is to keep Health Care workers from getting sick so that we have enough staff to care for those who are sick?
I think the government is freaked out about this pandemic, and they don't want empty hallways due all the nurses being at home sick with the flu.
My hospital made a company-wide policy where ALL hospital staff and volunteers had to be vaccinated. It was the first time I got a flu-shot. I lived through it. Did I like it? No.
But I think if we really thought about it, we would be grateful for these vaccines...I'm sure if given the opportunity during previous devastating flu pandemics, people would have graciously accepted them. We've come a long way...
Our hospital mandates flu shot or wear a mask till end of March or "voluntary resignation" I am opting for the mask. If I find I can't handle it then maybe I will get the shot. I have alot of allergies and do not want to risk a reaction.
I have never had the flu and never got a vaccine. The shot only protects against some strains anyhow and many people still get the flu. I figure by wearing a mask I will protect myself.
If the flu season is going to be that bad I will probably want to wear a mask even with the vaccine.
There is more than just the flu out there. And again you still can get another strain of the flu.
Just a thought. If hospitals require the shot but a nurse can't due to documented allergies, is the hospital allowing masks? I noticed a quite a few posts where it did not seem like an option.
I am seeing some flu in my kids school already. It is just the third week in school.
Seriously, what is the big deal? I live in NY, and FYI, it is New York State, not NYC that is mandating the flu shot, so get your facts straight.
You are already mandated to:
1) Have a negative PPD
2) Either have the Hep B vaccine, have a positive titer, or sign a statement basically saying it's on you if you get Hep B.
3) Have a positive Measles titer
4) Have a positive Rubella titer
5) Have a positive Mumps titer
6) Have a negative drug screen...
In order to work in a healthcare facility
Is having a mandatory flu shot really that much more to ask? You are in a position to work very closely to some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Is it too much to ask that you protect yourself, and your patients from getting a highly preventable virus? I personally have gotten the flu shot every year that my employer has offered it to me. It has made me feel sick every time, but I've gotten it, because it's what they ask of me.
They also ask me to park in a certain place, and I do that. It's called a condition of employment. If I don't like it, I can go work someplace else.
(Hint: nursing home employees are not currently mandated in New York State, start there.)
Do they make ANY exceptions at all? 2 years ago I had an allergic reaction to the flu shot, and was advised not to get it again. Last year I made a point of my husband and kids getting it. But a mandated shot...If there's no exceptions I don't know what I'd do.
it stop.
.thumb.jpg.673a970ef5656f84815d95fd288fc9bf.jpg){kind=small}
oramar
5,758 Posts
Does anyone know if this is the case in Pennsylvania?