are there any nurses out there who haven't been vaccinated?

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

There are certain areas in the hospital they can deny you to work in, such as maternal child due to the risk of you contracting one of the diseases you aren't vaccinated for, unknowingly, and then infecting your patients. We had a resident that we found out never was innoculated for measles, he traveled, came back and then broke out. We have to draw titers on every single person that came in contact with him, plus our NICU kids and then we all had to get immunoglobin, including the kids. Try explaining that to 45 irate sets of parents and over 100 other people he came in contact with. It was an ugly scene to say the least. We could have had 45 babies die due to this. Now, they are pretty stringent in following up with people having their immunizations where I work.

Just food for thought.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 17, 2012

Might be difficult to complete clinicals in OB and peds without immunizations.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Feb 17, 2012

I second TraumaRUs - we can't do OB/Peds clinicals without regular vaccinations AND the Flu shot as well...not a risk worth taking...as an adult health care worker, we have to protect the herd and get vaccinated...if its the preservative you're worried about you can ask your doctor to get thimereasol free vaccines - but you really need to get them to be a nurse...

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Feb 17, 2012

Immunizations and/or titers are REQUIRED in my nursing program. If you choose not to get the vaccinations, you simply will be denied admission to the program. End of story.

The stringent requirements for vaccinations, etc., are due to our contracting clinical facilities' requirements. Nursing students are not allowed to go to clinical sites without the required vaccinations, PPD screen, up-to-date CPR certification, color-blind screen, criminal background check, etc., etc., etc.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

We were required to have vaccine records plus flu and H1N1 in my program. They made exceptions for allergy only.

This year my hospital made the flu shot mandatory, also exceptions for allergy only, with suspensions for those who refused.

So....yeah, it might be a problem for you.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

I also wouldn't rely on a personal beliefs affidavit, whatever that is. Most programs require them because you will be working with at-risk patient populations that you can pass different diseases onto while at clinical. While you may be blacklisted, I wouldn't be surprised if they flat out tell you that you cannot be accepted because of your vaccine refusal.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Feb 17, 2012

Unfortunately (I guess?), the science and research thoroughly supports vaccinations, especially for adults. I can see a concern about getting a ton of shots at once, and I definitely sympathize with parents who are agonizing over getting their babies vaccinated. I selectively vaccinated and delayed some vaccines. However, in a health care setting it is pretty important to adhere to the standard of care- which is vaccination. The potential risks of vaccination are much, much less than the risks of contracting or spreading a VPD. BUT- get your titers run first. I didn't need any vaccines when I started nursing school because I was already immune due to previous vaccinations.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

Even if the school accepts a religious/reasons of conscious exemption, there is a good chance the clinical locations will not. I know of a student who almost had to leave the program because she had a medical reason not to have a certain vaccine, and while the school understoof the hospital where her clinicals were did not and would not allow her on site. Luckily, she was able to switch into another clincial group at a hospital that accepted the medical excuse. I sincerely doubt that a reasons of conscious exemption will be honored by any hospital, however.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

I am also concerned about the sources the OP has considered in making this decision. There is so much misinformation out there and pseudo-science when it comes to vaccines. If this "research" involved google, it is likely that much of what the OP is basing the decision on is false. While no medication, treatment, procedure, etc is 100% safe, the risk to benefit ratio for vaccines is strongly in favor of getting them!

mama_d, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

In all the programs in my area, if you're not up-to-date with immunizations, or have titers to prove immunity, you're out of luck. You wouldn't meet the minimum qualifications for enrollment. This includes yearly flu vax as well. As others have said, the schools have to do this to meet standards dictated by clinical sites.

colleennurse, ASN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

Im sure you have your personal reasons, but if I were you I would just get it. As previously stated that benefits outweight the risks. I am sure you are well aware that vaccinations protect others not just yourself. I know for the Flu my hospital will let you refuse, but I am not sure about MMR or other vaccines.