FNP - PMHNP required vaccinations

dienw · Mar 18, 2015

I get every immunization possible. I'll tell you why - I see very, very few well patients. Yes, patients are sick people carrying all kinds of germs! My family appreciates me doing everything I can to keep from bringing the germs home. I get my immunizations at the same place so that I have one record with everything.

If you think psyc patients are generally physically not sick, keep in mind that they in particular might not have the executive function necessary for proper hygiene. Wash your hands and be immunized for hepatitis A.

3**835Y · Mar 18, 2015

It's not. There are outliers in everything, and there are some nurses that don't vaccinate, but the majority do. And have to.
The evidence surrounding vaccine safety and efficacy is rock solid and any healthcare provider practicing evidence based practice knows this.
Sent from my iPhone.

The efficacy and morality of vaccines? I'm sure you, a "healthcare provider practicing evidence based practice" is aware of the recent outing of the 10 year coverup at the NIH which shows not only that the flu shot is ineffective with seniors.....but that seniors who receive the flu shot have a higher rate of pneumonia-related mortality? If you want to have a discussion on vaccines..................I could go on. But my purpose in this thread is to get feedback on the experiences of FNP's/PMHNP's regarding what's required of them upon employment. If you study history each generation thinks there knowledge base is indisputable. And because they are on a high horse they try to eliminate, muffle, and discredit those who question it. But.......that is a different thread.

allnurses Guide · Mar 18, 2015

The efficacy and morality of vaccines? I'm sure you, a "healthcare provider practicing evidence based practice" is aware of the recent outing of the 10 year coverup at the NIH which shows not only that the flu shot is ineffective with seniors.....but that seniors who receive the flu shot have a higher rate of pneumonia-related mortality? If you want to have a discussion on vaccines..................I could go on. But my purpose in this thread is to get feedback on the experiences of FNP's/PMHNP's regarding what's required of them upon employment. If you study history each generation thinks there knowledge base is indisputable. And because they are on a high horse they try to eliminate, muffle, and discredit those who question it. But.......that is a different thread.

Ahh yes the conspiracy-theory approach. There are a myriad of threads in vaccines, post on one of those and we can continue to debate.

You have your answers, everyone has told you that (the vast majority of) both clinical sites and employer credentialing require proof of vaccination

Sent from my iPhone.

3**835Y · Mar 19, 2015

Ahh yes the conspiracy-theory approach. There are a myriad of threads in vaccines, post on one of those and we can continue to debate.
You have your answers, everyone has told you that (the vast majority of) both clinical sites and employer credentialing require proof of vaccination
Sent from my iPhone.

Here's a peer reviewed "conspiracy" article if you are interested.

JAMA Network | JAMA Internal Medicine | Impact of Influenza Vaccination on Seasonal Mortality in the US Elderly Population

If you want to debate vaccines, then fine....Name the time and place. But as far as this thread goes.....it has very little to do with vaccines per se. If you have already contributed your experiences then it seems a little silly to continue contributing if you are only going to reiterate your previous comment. "You have your answers"...........You are insinuating that I should go away now? How disrespectful. If it's okay with you......I'd prefer to stick around until everyone who wants to contribute has had an opportunity. Remember......there is enough room is nursing for us all. Not all patient populations think alike which is why we need diversity and tolerance in our nursing body in order to be more effective as a whole.

allnurses Guide · Mar 19, 2015

Here's a peer reviewed "conspiracy" article if you are interested.
JAMA Network | JAMA Internal Medicine | Impact of Influenza Vaccination on Seasonal Mortality in the US Elderly Population
If you want to debate vaccines, then fine....Name the time and place. But as far as this thread goes.....it has very little to do with vaccines per se. If you have already contributed your experiences then it seems a little silly to continue contributing if you are only going to reiterate your previous comment. "You have your answers"...........You are insinuating that I should go away now? How disrespectful. If it's okay with you......I'd prefer to stick around until everyone who wants to contribute has had an opportunity. Remember......there is enough room is nursing for us all. Not all patient populations think alike which is why we need diversity and tolerance in our nursing body in order to be more effective as a whole.

Are you talking about the flu vaccine or all vaccines?

You cited the 2005 JAMA paper, from their conclusion: "Our results, based on analysis of national vital statistics, are simply not consistent with the very large mortality benefits reported in observational studies. We suggest that this disconnect may be in part explained by a hypothesis of disparity in vaccination: Very ill elderly people, whose fragile health would make them highly likely to die over the coming winter months, are less likely to be vaccinated during the autumn vaccination period."

Are you very elderly?

I encourage you to post on one of the many threads on the topic, better yet take a few moments (or hours) and read through the evidence presented on them.

What have the responses thus far told you? You can continue to ignore the the answers you have because they don't tell you what you want to hear and continue to wait for the outlier to support your position, that's your prerogative.

You and I disagree that we need "diversity and tolerance" when it comes to vaccinations. That's opiono and you are entitled to yours. What is fact is that most clinical sites and most employers will not accept an unvaccinated NP student.

Sent from my iPhone.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 19, 2015

Back to the topic at hand: I'm an APN who is credentialed at 7 hospitals in 5 hospital systems and every single one of them required immunizations and/or titers.

I will be honest and I do not get a flu shot each year but I must sign declination form each year - in several hospitals I must wear a mask, in others no mask is necessary.

I would contact your state's APN organization and get their take on this subject in the area of the country you are interested in working.

edmia, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2015

Hi OP,

Since you had vaccines as a child, a simple titer draw will show your immunity to measles, rubella, and varicella (hopefully).

All places where I have worked or done clinicals at have allowed declination of the Hep B vaccine as well as pneumococcal.

I think that covers your bases except for the yearly flu vaccine. Some states are making it mandatory now so declining it = fired. Other states allow you to decline as long as you wear a mask.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

core0 · Mar 19, 2015

Here's a peer reviewed "conspiracy" article if you are interested.
JAMA Network | JAMA Internal Medicine | Impact of Influenza Vaccination on Seasonal Mortality in the US Elderly Population
If you want to debate vaccines, then fine....Name the time and place. But as far as this thread goes.....it has very little to do with vaccines per se. If you have already contributed your experiences then it seems a little silly to continue contributing if you are only going to reiterate your previous comment. "You have your answers"...........You are insinuating that I should go away now? How disrespectful. If it's okay with you......I'd prefer to stick around until everyone who wants to contribute has had an opportunity. Remember......there is enough room is nursing for us all. Not all patient populations think alike which is why we need diversity and tolerance in our nursing body in order to be more effective as a whole.

I'll point out that this does not support your claim that the elderly have a higher rate of pneumonia related mortality, only that the vaccine does not appear to change that mortality. Also I don't see any evidence of a "10 year NIH cover up". The article you cited was a very important article in vaccine research nonetheless. It stirred considerable research into immune response in the elderly and led to the development of high dose flu vaccine for those over 65. Unfortunately even with high dose vaccine, the elderly still have less of a response than the non elderly.

Understanding the immune response to seasonal influenza vaccination in older adults: a systems biology approach

We require all students that rotate here during flu season to have the flu vaccine. The Children's hospital across the street requires not only flu but either positive titers or vaccines for pretty much all the preventable childhood diseases. As an employee, you either have to show medical proof of an allergy or find another job. There is no room for diversity and tolerance when vulnerable patient populations are at risk.

dinah77, ADN · Mar 20, 2015

Remember......there is enough room is nursing for us all. Not all patient populations think alike which is why we need diversity and tolerance in our nursing body in order to be more effective as a whole.

Sorry but no. Just no. Why people think of nursing as science optional is beyond me. Thinking that it can be is the equivalent of choosing a career in finance or banking and saying "That whole math thing? Eh, not really for me. Why can't you tolerate my diversity even though I am shunning a fundamental foundation of this profession??"

You claim religious reasons, but I think its clear from your misreading of the studies you believed proved your point you are simply confused about the science behind vaccines

If you reject science, you would be more suited to a career in naturopathy. I see you have past posts asking which NP field makes the most money; perhaps that is problem...you want the guaranteed income of "nurse" behind your name.

Finally, don't know which religion you claim, but I can say for myself that as a devout Catholic duty to protect and love others as I do myself requires me to get vaccinated and protect the vulnerable

There are many careers where you are not in contact with the sick and vulnerable-nursing is not one of them.

Psychcns · Mar 20, 2015

Over the past 4 years I worked at a psych clinic in MA, and then NH. Neither required proof of vaccination or titers

I also worked inpatient in MN and they required PPD's and that is all

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 20, 2015

Please stick to the topic that was posted in the OP:

Hello. I was wondering if most clinics or other work sites that FNP's work at require vaccinations. Do the doctors even ask for them upon hire? Same question with PMHNP's.......Any vaccinations required?

If everyone wants to discuss vaccines in general including for/against, please start another thread in appropriate forum.

On topic, I did not get the flu shot this year and of course, got the flu. Took me a couple weeks to get back to a reasonable facsimile of myself. I will not ever skip it again.

chare · Apr 8, 2015

The efficacy and morality of vaccines? I'm sure you, a "healthcare provider practicing evidence based practice" is aware of the recent outing of the 10 year coverup at the NIH which shows not only that the flu shot is ineffective with seniors.....but that seniors who receive the flu shot have a higher rate of pneumonia-related mortality?...

Really? Source?