Mandatory flu shot?

[colavadel]

I'm just curious about whether this is normal or not..

Our nursing program just decided this year that they are requiring the seasonal flu shot. Last year, they accepted waivers, but this year (which is our senior year), they have decided to make it required.

Our clinical sites do NOT require it- and incidentally, many of the RNs we work with there choose not to receive the vax. I took a very informal poll and was surprised by how many choose not to receive the vaccination.

I'm aggravated that they added this new requirement, without much notice. And the clinical sites don't require it, so... why the sudden change? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

There is only one place left in our state that has the seasonal flu shot in stock and it's quite a long drive.. and when I called, they couldn't say for sure how many they had left/when exactly they would run out.

Have any of you dealt with this?

[kcochrane]

Ours was mandated, but it was due to clinical sites mandating it. They also had health services come for a day so we could get it. I think if they are requiring it, they should offer it. Can you not get it from your primary MD?

Did they give you a reason for mandating it? Our dean was always good about explaining why anything was required. There is always a reason or situation that cause a school or workplace to change a policy. The reason doesn't always make sense, but there usually is some reason.

[Nurse Connie]

Ours was also mandated by the clinical sites. I just got it from my primary care physician.

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

Every state offers some sort of exemptions. Look for your individual state and what they have. I'd post the link that has each state but I'm on my husbands laptop and don't have the link. I've posted it in similar type threads, so you could search it. Anyway....don't let them bully you. You have rights.

[kcochrane]

Every state offers some sort of exemptions. Look for your individual state and what they have. I'd post the link that has each state but I'm on my husbands laptop and don't have the link. I've posted it in similar type threads, so you could search it. Anyway....don't let them bully you. You have rights.

I'm just curious..has anyone actually fought it and won? This is in regards to nursing school. I know it is possible in K-12.

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

My school allows a student to opt out of them, but you would have to wear a face mask the entire duration of the clinical (12 hours a day). That is very interesting that your clinical site doesn't require it, but rather your school...

[x0pinky_x]

I've never heard of the flu shot being mandatory, but I do have to say I would agree with it. Of course if they make the decision and in force it early on and give you a list of place you can go to get it, if not your primary dr. Besides would you really want to risk getting sick during school, and clinical times? Can you really afford to miss out on the valuable skills you should be learning? Unless you have some understandable medical reason not to get the shot.

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

we were told that we had to get the flu and the h1n1 or we would need to wear particle respirator masks while in the hospital!!!

lol, i got my flu shot, got an reaction and ended up on the ER while in clinicals, but it was mild, just rashes, and my throat felt as if i had thrown up a couple of times, my arm got a bit warm and a hard lump formed, come to find out the nurse had hit one vein on the IM!!!