FNP - PMHNP required vaccinations

allnurses Guide · Mar 18, 2015

Almost every clinic site will require proof of full vaccination including flu.

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roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 18, 2015

Agreed. If you work in healthcare, you are expected to participate in accepted preventive health measures.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Mar 18, 2015

Yes most clinics require staff to be current with vaccines. You might be able to find some alternative places that do not if this a problem for you. It only makes sense why vaccines would be required for healthcare providers.

3**835Y · Mar 18, 2015

So in Massachusetts most all doctors require their FNP's to show proof of vaccinations upon hire?

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 18, 2015

So in Massachusetts most all doctors require their FNP's to show proof of vaccinations upon hire?

Yes. In the US, that is a standard requirement. Not sure that a Nurse Practitioner of any type could achieve that status without having proven vaccination status along the way. Nursing schools and clinical sites require proof of vaccination. As a result, you will not find much discussion amongst FNP's. It's simply a given.

3**835Y · Mar 18, 2015

I ask because I am not able to receive vaccinations due to religious reasons. I have recently been accepted into a FNP program and I brought this to the attention of the counselors and it was not a problem. Now that I have been accepted, I am trying to get an idea of how much of a hindrance my religious beliefs will have on my employment future after school. I also have a strong desire to pursue PMHNP and was wondering if psych clinics might be more hospitable to my situation.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 18, 2015

I had to show proof of full vaccinations (and several titers) to enroll in an online PhD in nursing program; one without any clinicals. It's school of nursing requirement motivated mainly by their programs with clinicals. My BSN program (all online) did not have vaccination requirements.

NP programs will require clinical hours, so I imagine every reputable program will require vaccinations.

After that, I guess if you found a sympathetic practice, you might could stop vaccinating. But better hope you never have to round in any kind of care environment (acute or chronic), because they will need proof of vaccines.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 18, 2015

I am trying to get an idea of how much of a hindrance my religious beliefs will have on my employment future after school. I also have a strong desire to pursue PMHNP and was wondering if psych clinics might be more hospitable to my situation.

How did you navigate this during undergraduate studies? I do imagine psych clinics might be more lenient, especially outpatient, but do not have actual knowledge.

3**835Y · Mar 18, 2015

Can any FNP's comment on their CURRENT employment and whether or not their current position required proof of vaccinations/flu shots?

3**835Y · Mar 18, 2015

How did you navigate this during undergraduate studies? I do imagine psych clinics might be more lenient, especially outpatient, but do not have actual knowledge.

I was vaccinated as a child/teenager and my university didn't require titers. I personally think it was an answer to prayer and God helped me find a BSN school in Kansas that wasn't so hard core on vaccinations/immunizations. Now, I have been accepted to a FNP school and they do not require proof/titers. So I feel it is an answer to prayer again. I have always been able to find good paying RN positions, so that hasn't been much of an issue. But I have a strong desire to go further as a FNP. I also really have a strong desire to help those who have PTSD/military and thought in patient PMHNP might be a better fit for my situation.

3**835Y · Mar 18, 2015

I had to show proof of full vaccinations (and several titers) to enroll in an online PhD in nursing program; one without any clinicals. It's school of nursing requirement motivated mainly by their programs with clinicals. My BSN program (all online) did not have vaccination requirements.
NP programs will require clinical hours, so I imagine every reputable program will require vaccinations.
After that, I guess if you found a sympathetic practice, you might could stop vaccinating. But better hope you never have to round in any kind of care environment (acute or chronic), because they will need proof of vaccines.

I have heard from other RN's that many doctors recommend them for others, but do not get the flu shot or boosters themselves. So it makes me wonder how difficult it will be to find a doctor at a private practice (not hospital affiliated) who might not even ask. I was hoping to find input from current FNP's and current PMHNP's. Honestly, most families I speak to outside of the healthcare field do not care whether or not healthcare workers receive flu shots and boosters. Although their adverse effects go unreported, many families have told me stories about why they will no longer get the flu shot.