What to do about DNP and flu shot?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am finishing my MSN soon, and had thought that I would get my DNP. However, I am second guessing this after a big ordeal from my school about me not taking a flu shot. My hospital does not require it if I wear a mask. I hate to put the time and money into getting a DNP, and at some point be required to take a flu shot to work in nursing. I WILL NOT. I will change careers. I’m not looking for pro flu shot comments here. However, I am looking for advice and useful information on what you think the future holds in this matter. I also have an MBA, and can just as easily go into a DBA program.

On 2/3/2020 at 12:31 AM, Megarline said:

https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations/opposition

?

Maybe you could articulate your point a bit- you just cited an article focused on the fallacies of flu shot objections.

Are you thinking there are two legit sides to this debate?

This has resulted in a surge of infectious diseases that had been previously or nearly eradicated.

The criticism was based on sanitary, religious, and political objections. Some clergy believed that the vaccine went against their religion.

But for most who refuse vaccines it should be known that there is little risk.

There was a belief that diseases were disappearing due to better sanitation and hygiene, not vaccines. This has been proven false by the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases.

Diseases will only stay eradicated as long as vaccines are still used to prevent them.

The most common reasons that parents oppose vaccinations are medically unfounded

Multiple studies have shown that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism.

Most of the concerns that create opposition to vaccination are nothing more than misconceptions.

Pertusis, or whooping cough, has also seen a dramatic increase in reported cases attributed to a lack of vaccinations.

Measles is a potentially deadly disease, and health experts explain that parents refusing to vaccinate their children are the cause behind its resurgence.

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I am really sorry that so many people left rather rude comments to your post. I can understand someones hesitance to just accept a required injection. As a matter of fact if someone would have told me 20 years ago that I would be accepting a required government injection to keep my job, I would have never believed it. Without getting into the debate about required vaccines; there are still areas that you could work in nursing without patient contact. Areas that comes in mind would be computer technology, Pharmaceutical sales, infomatics, or possibly even tele-health. I also would encourage you to look into the research behind vaccines and understand them and their importance in protecting vulnerable patients. Also with the world population growing to such extremes airborne illnesses like influenza, pneumonia and other viruses are becoming more of a threat as people are in closer contact than ever before. I would say to search within yourself to determine what type of job you could see yourself doing for the next 30 years. The two degrees that you talk about could have very different jobs. Best wishes for a bright future whatever you choose.

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Specializes in OB.
1 hour ago, Krispy Kritter said:

I am really sorry that so many people left rather rude comments to your post. I can understand someones hesitance to just accept a required injection. As a matter of fact if someone would have told me 20 years ago that I would be accepting a required government injection to keep my job, I would have never believed it. Without getting into the debate about required vaccines; there are still areas that you could work in nursing without patient contact. Areas that comes in mind would be computer technology, Pharmaceutical sales, infomatics, or possibly even tele-health. I also would encourage you to look into the research behind vaccines and understand them and their importance in protecting vulnerable patients. Also with the world population growing to such extremes airborne illnesses like influenza, pneumonia and other viruses are becoming more of a threat as people are in closer contact than ever before. I would say to search within yourself to determine what type of job you could see yourself doing for the next 30 years. The two degrees that you talk about could have very different jobs. Best wishes for a bright future whatever you choose.

No one has been rude. Some posters have been blunt because there's no way around it, based on the original post. Please explain how the flu vaccine is a "required government injection."

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On 2/2/2020 at 7:27 AM, Emergent said:

Incidentally, I'm pretty sure autism has been ruled out as being caused by vaccines. There is strong evidence though, linking it to bacteria in the gut. I think that points to overuse of antibiotics which alter and destroy the balance of bacteria in the gut.

There have been some great new insights into gut bacteria, and its effect on immune system and other bodily functions. They have analyzed the gut bacteria of the frozen people they found in the Alps and other places, who were from the hunter-gatherer era. Industrialization and the switch to an agricultural based diet has drastically altered gut bacteria. This has accelerated greatly since the introduction of antibiotics. At the same time we've seen this huge increase in autoimmune diseases and autism.

Are we actually seeing an increase in autism, or are we simply recognizing it where we didn't before?

50 years ago, someone might be labeled "an odd duck," "insensitive to the feelings of others," "retarded," "nerdy." "Idiot savant" was a term accepted by most. Now they might instead be diagnosed as being on the spectrum due to greater understanding of autism, rather than the possibility that more and more people are suddenly "becoming autistic."

Ongoing research is slowly opening the gates to understanding the causes and potential interventions for autism.

Quote

The newest study from the Autism Speaks MSSNG project – the world’s largest autism genome sequencing program – identified an additional 18 gene variations that appear to increase the risk of autism.

https://www.autismspeaks.org/press-release/worlds-largest-autism-genome-database-shines-new-light-many-autisms

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Specializes in Oceanfront Living.
4 hours ago, Krispy Kritter said:

Pharmaceutical sales,

Still involve patient contact through the physician and / or nurse contact.

And the patients that might in the office when you show up. Think about it.

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Wow, I guess the attack is on me now. I only tried to respond in a kind manner to someones question! And to the person that asked me why I called it a "required government injection" is because I am required to take it and it is manufactured by the CDC, a branch of the government. I also discussed why it is important, but hey if you want to cherry pick my post to beat up on someone on the internet then I guess that speaks more to your character then mine. I always try to respond in a kind manner to a poster because they are asking a question and I don't think it is responsible to have numerous people beat up on someone just for asking a question. There is a person behind every post, the least we can do is be kind.

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On 2/4/2020 at 7:31 PM, Krispy Kritter said:

Wow, I guess the attack is on me now. I only tried to respond in a kind manner to someones question! And to the person that asked me why I called it a "required government injection" is because I am required to take it and it is manufactured by the CDC, a branch of the government. I also discussed why it is important, but hey if you want to cherry pick my post to beat up on someone on the internet then I guess that speaks more to your character then mine. I always try to respond in a kind manner to a poster because they are asking a question and I don't think it is responsible to have numerous people beat up on someone just for asking a question. There is a person behind every post, the least we can do is be kind.

"No one has been rude. Some posters have been blunt because there's no way around it, based on the original post. Please explain how the flu vaccine is a "required government injection."

If the quote above is your idea of an attack, and you feel as though you have been beat up, consider the possibility that you might be a bit over sensitive.

Also, regarding your "required government injection":

That is really an odd way to refer to a flu shot.

1- It is not required. Nobody is forcing you to get this shot any more than they are forcing you to maintain your nursing license. You have chosen to work for an institution that values patient safety more than your opinion.

2- The CDC does not manufacture vaccines.

3- I will concede the part about it being an injection. Of course, if that bothers you, you could always do the nasal route.

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55 minutes ago, Krispy Kritter said:

And to the person that asked me why I called it a "required government injection" is because I am required to take it and it is manufactured by the CDC, a branch of the government.

Wherever did you get that idea?

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

US governments Healthy People 2020 goal ID-12.13 is flu immunization rate of 90% for healthcare personnel that has been promoted by The Joint Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hospitals, Long Term Care and home health agencies are being measured against this goal.

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/immunization-and-infectious-diseases

ID-12.13: https://www.healthypeople.gov/node/6361/data_details

Several states require flu and pneumonia vaccines to be offered to staff:

Menu of States Hospital Influenza Vaccination Laws

https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/docs/menu-shfluvacclaws.pdf

2013 Strategies to Achieve the Healthy People 2020 Annual Influenza Vaccine Coverage Goal for Health-Care Personnel: Recommendations from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee --- successfully implemented in my PA state with statewide hospital rate above 93% in 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3514716/

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Specializes in OB.
On 2/4/2020 at 7:31 PM, Krispy Kritter said:

Wow, I guess the attack is on me now. I only tried to respond in a kind manner to someones question! And to the person that asked me why I called it a "required government injection" is because I am required to take it and it is manufactured by the CDC, a branch of the government. I also discussed why it is important, but hey if you want to cherry pick my post to beat up on someone on the internet then I guess that speaks more to your character then mine. I always try to respond in a kind manner to a poster because they are asking a question and I don't think it is responsible to have numerous people beat up on someone just for asking a question. There is a person behind every post, the least we can do is be kind.

The CDC does not manufacture vaccines nor is it a "branch" of the government. If you consider rational and assertive responses to false information "attacks" or a reflection of someone's character being poor, then I don't know how to have a conversation with you.

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Specializes in BSN, RN-BC, NREMT, EMT-P, TCRN.

So then, do you tell your patients not to get the flu shot, pneumococcal, or shingles vaccine?

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
On 2/4/2020 at 7:31 PM, Krispy Kritter said:

Wow, I guess the attack is on me now. I only tried to respond in a kind manner to someones question!

And to the person that asked me why I called it a "required government injection" is because I am required to take it and it is manufactured by the CDC, a branch of the government.

I thought your post was kind to the OP and constructive advice.

I’m not sure what you are basing this on, but no vaccines are made by the CDC or any other government agencies. Here is the list of manufacturers: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/downloads/manufact-dist-contact.pdf

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