(So glad I stumbled across this website again after almost 6 years! I need to change my username because I am not an aspiring nurse anymore, I have been a nurse for almost 3 years! ?)
Anyway, I really do not want to take this new covid vaccine. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Typically I am not an anti-vaxxer but something about this illness is making me think otherwise. For personal reasons I really do not want to take it when available at my hospital, but I’m afraid it will be mandatory. I am almost considering finding a new job if my hospital forces us all to take it. What a shame because I do like my job and wouldn’t know what else to turn to that isn’t nursing, because chances are most healthcare related places of employment will likely require all employees take it.
I want to use the excuse of it being against my religion but I already took the flu vaccine this year. I have nothing against the flu vaccine but didn’t necessarily want it, but my hospital practically FORCED everyone to take it unless they grant you an exemption. I’m afraid they’ll question me why I took the flu shot but cannot take the covid vaccine.
What do you guys think about this? Will you be taking the vaccine? I just want us to be able to make our own decisions about this. If patients can refuse medications, procedures, and treatments, why can’t healthcare workers do the same? I read in multiple articles it will not be required by the federal government but each state and employer can decide whether or not it will be mandatory.
And forget the $1500 “stimulus check” that may be offered if you take it. All the money in the world would not change my mind about taking the vaccine. I feel as though if you have to bribe people to take it, something is peculiar.
I don’t know why this is bothering me so much. It should be a choice in my opinion. But by telling a few friends about not wanting it I feel judged. I have worked with covid patients multiple times since I am one of the younger nurses who does not have any kids/am pregnant. I feel like week after week I was always chosen to go to the covid section. At first I was mad but now it doesn’t bother me. I am not afraid to be near covid patients. Luckily through all this time I haven’t caught it. I always tell people I’d rather catch it than get this vaccine. That’s how strongly I feel against taking the vaccine. All of my non-nursing who have had covid are covered and thriving. To me catching it isn’t the biggest deal but others have called me selfish because I could be spreading it to others. Why is it looked at as selfish for not wanting to inject something into MY body. #mybodymychoice
Am I thinking about this too much? What would you do?
You may feel that you are being forced to vaccinate but that isn't really anymore compelling or correct than Trump feeling that he won the election. You weren't forced and he got fewer votes, feelings aren't of value.
You may feel that you are being forced to vaccinate but that isn't really anymore compelling or correct than Trump feeling that he won the election. You weren't forced and he got fewer votes, feelings aren't of value.
Well I respect your feelings, but I disagree. Being compelled to do things or facing consequences like job loss is a form of force in my opinion. However, I respect your perspective.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
3 minutes ago, myoglobin said:
Well I respect your feelings, but I disagree. Being compelled to do things or facing consequences like job loss is a form of force in my opinion. However, I respect your perspective.
Job loss versus having to wear a mask during influenza season. Hyperbole is a terrible argument.
Job loss versus having to wear a mask during influenza season. Hyperbole is a terrible argument.
Wearing a mask was not an option. It was take the shot or find a different job. They had offered a mask as an option in the past, but transitioned to "shot only" in the last several years.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
2 minutes ago, myoglobin said:
Wearing a mask was not an option. It was take the shot or find a different job. They had offered a mask as an option in the past, but transitioned to "shot only" in the last several years.
OK. People make ideological choices regularly...it's truly unfortunate when people make consequential life choices, like refuse a safe vaccine and jeopardize needed employment, IMHO.
OK. People make ideological choices regularly...it's truly unfortunate when people make consequential life choices, like refuse a safe vaccine and jeopardize needed employment, IMHO.
I get your position that it might be reasonable to "force" vaccination. However, I disagree that it should not be considered force. If you start using "well you could choose to take the vaccine" then it is an almost endless list. When it comes to something like a vaccine that has both risks and benefits and involves a medical intervention with regard to your immune system it should always be a choice without fear of job loss or other issues. I would favor an "incentive" approach. If they had said take the vaccine and get a week off of work I would have probably been happy. I've never worked a job with paid vacation or health insurance and would have still been happy to take an unpaid week off if it meant not getting an occurrence for missing.
Also, why should MD's be able to "choose" to skip the vaccine but RN's be forced? Some of the MD's would actually taunt us with statements like "I never take the vaccine and they would never make us for fear of losing our group."
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
15 minutes ago, myoglobin said:
Also, why should MD's be able to "choose" to skip the vaccine but RN's be forced? Some of the MD's would actually taunt us with statements like "I never take the vaccine and they would never make us for fear of losing our group."
This is nothing new and not surprising, healthcare as a whole shows it only cares about those that bring the money in. Nursing doesn’t bring in money but physicians do.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
18 minutes ago, myoglobin said:
I get your position that it might be reasonable to "force" vaccination. However, I disagree that it should not be considered force. If you start using "well you could choose to take the vaccine" then it is an almost endless list. When it comes to something like a vaccine that has both risks and benefits and involves a medical intervention with regard to your immune system it should always be a choice without fear of job loss or other issues. I would favor an "incentive" approach. If they had said take the vaccine and get a week off of work I would have probably been happy. I've never worked a job with paid vacation or health insurance and would have still been happy to take an unpaid week off if it meant not getting an occurrence for missing.
Also, why should MD's be able to "choose" to skip the vaccine but RN's be forced? Some of the MD's would actually taunt us with statements like "I never take the vaccine and they would never make us for fear of losing our group."
You've chosen the described stance and situation, right? You chose the employer and not to accept the vaccine. You made choices which put you there. Now you are confronted with a deadly pandemic and you are making choices about those necessary vaccines.
OK. People make ideological choices regularly...it's truly unfortunate when people make consequential life choices, like refuse a safe vaccine and jeopardize needed employment, IMHO.
I no longer even work there so right now it's not even an issue (it will probably become one for me at some point in the next year). However, when people of unequal power (the big HCA dominated hospitals) uses that power to demand of people in a lessor position (in case RN's) that they must do something that MD's did not have to do. It really made me angry. It was bad enough that I barely got lunch break (maybe 15 or 20 in the ten years I worked there due to inadequate staffing), but they had to pile on indignities like mandatory vaccines. I swear that if I won or earned a billion dollars (I would take a few million to retire to Wyoming) I would spend the rest dismantling that company brick by brick until their stock was worth less than an abandoned Golden Corral buffet in California.
Well now that all three branches of government seem headed to a perhaps permanent left of center perspective I doubt that even Wyoming will prevent me from getting the vaccine if I want to earn money to pay the 200k in debt I owe. Maybe Covid will put me out of my misery first or I will be lucky enough to perish from a vaccine reaction.
toomuchbaloney
16,033 Posts
@myoglobin
You may feel that you are being forced to vaccinate but that isn't really anymore compelling or correct than Trump feeling that he won the election. You weren't forced and he got fewer votes, feelings aren't of value.