Immunizations & nursing school

Published

Hello All,

I need some advice on the approach I should take regarding a controversial topic. I am currently in the process of applying to nursing school & have never received immunizations because of personal reasons. I recently emailed my advisor about the issue and asked to receive declination forms to sign. She stated that nursing students are required to have current and updated immunizations and that hospitals have the right to deny me clinical rotation in their facility. My concern is that this cannot possibly be correct. Entering a hospital with no immunization history is my own personal risk. If I get sick, that is my problem. Also, there has to be a doctor or nurse in the entire country who has refused immunizations. Why did the college of nursing not contact me when I entered the university & listed my major as nursing? I am pretty devastated to say the least & am scared that I may have to withdraw my application or this issue with put a "red x" by my name. Does anyone have any feedback on this issue?

there are lots of things you'll have to do in nursing school that you won't like and won't understand. this is the first of many. do you have to get vaccinated? no. do you have to be a nurse? no. it's really your choice. i didn't understand the rationale when i was learning to draw blood that "if you can't be stuck then you shouldn't be sticking people" which is what my instructor said. i thought, "hmm. does that mean if i'm not willing to have surgery that i shouldn't help perform it?" we had to do procedures on each other wearing gowns, have blood pressures checked, be weighed, etc. i wasn't thrilled about any of the above (especially being in school with hot girls after i'd given birth and had the body to show for it) but it comes with the territory. i didn't have to let the whole class know my weight and know i had a wart, but i didn't have to be a nurse either. it's a crappy part of life.

I agree with what you've said, but I disagree that it's a good analogy for having to get vaccinated. The things you describe may be embarrassing, but they don't have the potential to permanently harm you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
As my due date looms in mere weeks this makes me think of the risks to my baby Emma from whooping cough. :(

Many hospitals are starting to insist on proof of immunization for pertussis (whooping cough) prior to letting visitors in to see a newborn.

In California 10 infants have died of whooping cough.

Ask your family members to go get the shot right now.

I wish you the best. :redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
Many hospitals are starting to insist on proof of immunization for pertussis (whooping cough) prior to letting visitors in to see a newborn.

In California 10 infants have died of whooping cough.

Ask your family members to go get the shot right now.

I wish you the best. :redbeathe

My family is all covered (can't have an L&D nurse as a MIL and get away without it!). I was thinking more in reference to a care provider not having an up to date immunity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in I like everything except ER.

In America, which is ground zero for allopathic medicine, you have no choice but to get vaccinated if you wish to practice in the current medical system. Most of the nurses are brainwashed to believe we will harm our patients by the pharmaceutical lobbies. Few medical people think on their own. My advice is to go into the alternative fields like acupuncture, energy healing, homeopathy etc. You won't win this one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

OP, I know you said you weren't going to elaborate, but I'm really curious to hear your take on the comments so far... do you agree/disagree with any of this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree with what you've said, but I disagree that it's a good analogy for having to get vaccinated. The things you describe may be embarrassing, but they don't have the potential to permanently harm you.

if a person is worried about vaccines having the POTENTIAL of causing "permanent harm" which is an opinion then they certainly don't need to be a nurse where there is the potential threat of contracting MRSA on a daily basis or HIV/hepatitis from a needle stick. i really don't see how someone so convinced that vaccines are harmful could put themselves in such a risky environment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
if a person is worried about vaccines having the POTENTIAL of causing "permanent harm" which is an opinion then they certainly don't need to be a nurse where there is the potential threat of contracting MRSA on a daily basis or HIV/hepatitis from a needle stick. i really don't see how someone so convinced that vaccines are harmful could put themselves in such a risky environment.

That doesn't even makes sense and not worth a reply. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
That doesn't even makes sense and not worth a reply. :rolleyes:

Sure, it makes sense.

Vaccines are known to prevent serious and often deadly disease, both for the innoculated person and those around them. They are also known to prevent millions of deaths around the world.

Vaccines are sometimes suspected of causing harmful side effects.

Healthcare workers, unless they practice in an ivory tower, will suffer exposure, sometimes on a daily basis, to highly contagious disease and infection.

It is puzzling that a person who would not consider utilizing the proven method of disease prevention (and who avoids them due to potential side effects) would choose to work in an environment that contains certain risk.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sure, it makes sense.

Vaccines are known to prevent serious and often deadly disease, both for the innoculated person and those around them. They are also known to prevent millions of deaths around the world.

Depends on whose research you believe.

Vaccines are sometimes suspected of causing harmful side effects.

Vaccines are KNOWN to have caused harm, even unto death!

Healthcare workers, unless they practice in an ivory tower, will suffer exposure, sometimes on a daily basis, to highly contagious disease and infection.

Exposure does not guarantee that you will EVER get a highly contagious disease, especially if proper precautions are taken.

It is puzzling that a person who would not consider utilizing the proven method of disease prevention (and who avoids them due to potential side effects) would choose to work in an environment that contains certain risk.

Again, while the risk may be certain, acquiring an actual disease is far from it. I would much rather risk exposure, knowing that there is much that I can do to successfully prevent disease, and trust my body to do it's job of fighting the disease, if actually acquired, than take the risk of actually putting know harmful substances in my body. Besides, if you don't think that you can actually prevent acquiring a highly contagious disease by using proper precautions, and that acquiring a highly contagious disease is inevitable , then precautions become unnecessary.

I haven't come to the conclusions that I have about vaccines without much thought, reading, and discussion, so there nothing that anyone can tell me that will change my mind. So, this is as far as I will allow myself to be drawn into this particular vein of this thread. If anyone feels compelled to respond to my comments, know that I will not reciprocate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC.
Again, while the risk may be certain, acquiring an actual disease is far from it. I would much rather risk exposure, knowing that there is much that I can do to successfully prevent disease, and trust my body to do it's job of fighting the disease, if actually acquired, than take the risk of actually putting know harmful substances in my body. Besides, if you don't think that you can actually prevent acquiring a highly contagious disease by using proper precautions, and that acquiring a highly contagious disease is inevitable , then precautions become unnecessary.

I haven't come to the conclusions that I have about vaccines without much thought, reading, and discussion, so there nothing that anyone can tell me that will change my mind. So, this is as far as I will allow myself to be drawn into this particular vein of this thread. If anyone feels compelled to respond to my comments, know that I will not reciprocate.

And therein lies the problem with the anti-vaccination crowd.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
Again, while the risk may be certain, acquiring an actual disease is far from it. I would much rather risk exposure, knowing that there is much that I can do to successfully prevent disease, and trust my body to do it's job of fighting the disease, if actually acquired, than take the risk of actually putting know harmful substances in my body. Besides, if you don't think that you can actually prevent acquiring a highly contagious disease by using proper precautions, and that acquiring a highly contagious disease is inevitable , then precautions become unnecessary.

I haven't come to the conclusions that I have about vaccines without much thought, reading, and discussion, so there nothing that anyone can tell me that will change my mind. So, this is as far as I will allow myself to be drawn into this particular vein of this thread. If anyone feels compelled to respond to my comments, know that I will not reciprocate.

As with any medication, there are potential risks, which is why we weigh the benefit vs the risk. The risk of vaccinations, particularly for adults, is minimal (see below). The risk of a vaccination-free society however is that we return to outbreaks of devastatingly deadly and debilitating disease. But unlike the risk vs. benefit consideration one might make before taking a BP med, the risk being weighed when considering immunizations is to others as well, including those who may not share your body's ability "to do it's job of fighting the disease".

If you're going to present unsupported claims, it would be preferable that you cite some sources if you truly believe your position has merit, rather than a bomb and run, which when advocating against well established public health principles seems pretty irresponsible.

Personally, my view is that while vaccines aren't perfect, the benefits far outweigh the risks and they're better than the alternative. And while I am a staunch believer in "that which doesn't kill me makes me stronger" and fiercely independent and therefore maybe wouldn't use vaccines if it only affected me, I'm willing to follow the heard to protect those weaker than myself. Among other sources, I base this on:

http://www.who.int/immunization_safety/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/safety/default.htm

This article, while peer reviewed, was written by an inventor of a vaccine, but it's pretty comprehensive and less dry of a read than the CDC and WHO sites:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/123/1/e164.full

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My previous job did not care at all about my vaccinations just gave me a 2 step TB. They offered Heb B shots if we wanted them but did not care about my vaccination records or want to know what I had in the past (I have had all my immunizations). Just saying there are employers that do not care. TB tests though unless there is a medical reason I don't see you getting out of unless you can get a CXR instead maybe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion