Getting vaccinated for Nursing school?

cmj1986 · Jul 18, 2012

I want to add that I have received many vaccines as a child so I'm sure I have a immunization record to give, I just have to call around and get it. My friend who recently graduated from the same college i'll be going to said that she provided her immunization record from when she was a child so I can do the same but that she still needed a updated tetorifice shot and hib.

abiklags · Jul 18, 2012

My school did antibody titers for all students even with my complete the vaccination record. we had to go to employee health before starting for 2 PPD and the titers. we also before our second level for PPD. when i was there the second year, they saw my tetorifice was 5 years old (which is still good for another 5) gave me the TDap booster because I was going into my peds rotation and needed the pertussis booster.

the school also does flu vaccines which I get because I've had the flu. I'd rather get the shot than go through it again.

allnurses Guide · Jul 18, 2012

A few questions for you:

1. What exactly do you believe about vaccines that makes you not want them?

2. How many nurses do your really know that "don't believe" in them?

I don't know any clinical sites that will let unvaccinated employees have patient contact (without extenuating circumstances).

dkmamato3 · Jul 18, 2012

I think it will be very difficult for you to find clinical sites without further vaccinations. I quick call to your local hospitals HR departments and I think they will tell you that as either an intern or employee, you need to be current on all vaccines or get boosters based on your tithers.

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Jul 18, 2012

This is a question for your school and clinical sites/further employers. In my area, there was no if and's or buts about it. Certain vaccines were a must. We couldn't go to our clinical site without a Flu vaccine, the only exception was a previous reaction or allergy to it, then the student or nurse(yes already employed there) had to wear a mask each shift during flu season. Each area is different..The only vaccine that was not required was the Hep B. It was however highly advised.

2BRN123 · Jul 18, 2012

A few questions for you:
1. What exactly do you believe about vaccines that makes you not want them?

This ^

When you realize, in a clinical setting, how easily you might be able to contract certain illnesses because you had not been immune to them via vaccine or otherwise, well.... once you realize that its time to weigh whatever personal beliefs you have about the cons of vaccination and the cons of contracting those diseases.

Even if you can get through school without them, you might have a hard time finding employment.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 18, 2012

Agree with PPs. Don't forget that this (foregoing vaccinations) would also expose vulnerable patients to illnesses carried by unvaccinated healthcare providers. This is a fundamental ethical violation of patient rights/ patient safety.

Cali_Nurse_209 · Jul 19, 2012

I start the BSN program next month and we are required to get vaccinations/titers with the HepA and Meningococcal being optional but recommended. If you don't have them done before the program starts you will forfeit your spot and it will go to the next alternate in line. I never get the flu shot but my program required it so I got it. If your program requires vaccinations go ahead and get them. If you don't want to get them then most likely you will not be able to be placed at your clinical site thus you won't be able to complete the nursing program simple as that. I've worked way too hard to get to this point to just throw it all away because I don't want the shots. If you don't want to get the vaccinations then nursing may not be the field for you.

MoniqueS · Jul 19, 2012

You do have to have great immunity as a nurse. I respect that you have your values and you distrust some vaccines. However, sometimes in life... you just have to do things you don't want to, to protect others and also to get a job.

tenjuna, MSN · Jul 19, 2012

This issue came up during my Microbiology class, but it seems a growing number of people are refusing immunizations.

Frankly, regardless of religious or personal beliefs, this is one of those basic things that is a "duh" thing to do. You eat as to not starve, you breathe as to not suffocate, and you innoculate yourself as to not sucumbe to very common diseases. This is why (among other reasons) smallpox is becoming a re-emerging disease.

As to your question, I cannot possibly see why immunizations would NOT be required. It protects you, it protects the patient, it protects your school and employer legally.

Apologies for the strongly-worded reply, but this may be one of the dumbest nursing student related questions I have seen yet.

Cain

afterseason, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2012

At my school, refusing vaccines is guaranteed failure of the course. Why? Because clinical sites require these vaccines. If you can't do the rotation, you fail your clinical portion, which means you fail the class. The school will allow students to submit a notarized document saying they refuse vaccines for personal or religious reasons, but the hospitals are not required to accept these -- and they don't. I have always avoided vaccines, especially the flu, but I sucked it up and got everything done for the sake of school. If you're not willing to do the same, then you may want to seriously reconsider the profession you're going into.