Are nurses going to be force to take the N1H1

[Holly.G]

or do they have an option... I cant remember but one of my nursing profs told us that we have the option... its either we get the vaccine or we wont get paid sick leave.... bit confused

[CuriousMe]

For you now, it depends on what your school/clinical placement requires....once you work for a hospital or clinic, it will depend on the policy of the hospital or clinic.

There's not a set rule though.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I don't think they can do that unless it's an emergency situation - and it's far from that point (I mean like something out of the movie "Outbreak" and not a pandemic...).

[CuriousMe]

I don't think they can do that unless it's an emergency situation - and it's far from that point (I mean like something out of the movie "Outbreak" and not a pandemic...).

I guess it depends on where you are.

It's already mandated in our clinical sites. Our school isn't requiring it, but as our clinical sites are unless we have a medical contraindication (ie allergy to eggs, hx of sever rxn to flu shot, etc)...so, we're welcome to not get the shot, but we can't pass school without clinicals.

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

No way will I get this vaccine!

[nkara, CNA]

NO! I am able to sign a declination letter for both the regular flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago is already mandating the seasonal shot of all employees (and clinical students). They're most likely going to require the H1N1 shot as well. As CuriousMe pointed out, students are free to object, but without a medical reason to refuse they won't be allowed at that clinical site.

[CuriousMe]

NO! I am able to sign a declination letter for both the regular flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine.

As long as BOTH your school and your clinical site accept a declination letter, then it looks like there won't be a conflict by refusing the shot.

As I said above, my school isn't requiring the vaccine (students just need to sign a form saying they're refusing the shot), but clinical sites are requiring the vaccine. So, short of a documented medical contraindication the choice is pretty clear.