Do lpns give vaccinations?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 10, 2016

Depends on state nursing practice act and what is included in the scope of practice as well as facility policy.

Why the refusal to give vaccines? It is an expected part of health care. As a nurse or any other health care provider, the ethical thing to do is not to push your own beliefs on your patients. If any job you apply for expects you to give vaccines and you choose not to, you could very well be terminated for cause.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 10, 2016

Vaccine administration is within the scope of practice of an LPN. If you are anti vaccine consider a different career perhaps a naturopath or reiki?

MunoRN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

Generally LPN's can administer vaccinations. The bigger that should make you wonder if nursing is right for you is whether or not you are capable of separating the health decisions you would make for yourself from those of your patients. If you would feel the need to force your choices onto those of your patients by refusing to vaccinate them then nursing probably isn't for you.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Jun 10, 2016

Wait. Why would you refuse to give a vaccine to another person?

MPKH, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

You can't refuse to give vaccine to your patient if it is ordered and your patient has given consent for it. What other things are you unwilling to do as a nurse? Give narcotics?

bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN · Jun 11, 2016

LPNs give vaccinations, at least in my state. Also as a healthcare worker many of us are mandated to get our personal vaccines including a yearly flu vaccine unless you have a medical reason not to (allergic reaction).

If you are anti vaccine nursing may not be the right path for you as it is a large part of schooling and work.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2016

I administered vaccinations during my years as an LPN/LVN. Immunizations are definitely within the scope of practice for LPNs.

The only LPN jobs that do not entail vaccinations are at insurance companies and hospices. However, you'll need to accrue several years of clinical experience to obtain these positions.

By the way, the nurse/patient relationship focuses on the patient, not the nurse and his/her personal belief systems. Refusing to administer vaccines is a violation of the predetermined nurse/patient relationship because you are allowing your personal belief systems to interfere with patient care.

cocoa_puff · Jun 11, 2016

In nursing school, you would need all your vaccinations to be up to date to be allowed into clinical (flu shot, hep B vaccine...). If you are against vaccines for any reason, please consider a career other than nursing. Nursing is based on science and evidenced based practice, and yes, that includes vaccines (remember that little thing called polio?). You can't just "refuse" to give someone a vaccine as a nurse because it goes against your personal beliefs.

allnurses Guide · Jun 11, 2016

As a nursing student you will need your vaccinations. You'll need to have all your vaccinations to be an CNA in most places too.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2016

As a nurse, you will constantly face situations which are in direct contradiction to you personal views. I can't think of a situation in which you personal views on a subject takes priority over you duties and expectations as an LPN/RN. This includes giving vaccinations.

Glycerine82, LPN · Jun 11, 2016

LPNs give immunizations, yes.

You won't be able to find a job in healthcare without being vaccinated yourself, so keep that in mind.

You can work as a CNA without having to worry about giving anyone vaccines, because CNAs only provide ADL assistance, but again, you'll need to be vaccinated yourself. No way around it.