<p>The purpose of this research study was to determine the perceptions of influenza vaccine of registered nurses who decline the annual influenza vaccination. Influenza is a serious public health issue because it is a highly contagious virus that is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The topic of making annual influenza vaccinations mandatory for health care workers remains controversial. A comprehensive review of the literature surrounding influenza vaccinations was explored and discussed. The data for this study was obtained via anonymous voluntary surveys with one open-ended and 14 closed-ended questions. A mixed method design was used to analyze the voluntary responses from acute and critical care registered nurses employed at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital who declined the influenza vaccination during the 2013-2014 influenza season. The results were examined and disseminated to provide insight and possibly modify future educational campaigns to promote increased annual influenza vaccination rates among registered nurses and health care workers overall. APRNs have the opportunity to serve as leaders by advocating for annual vaccinations, providing evidence based education, and supporting policy changes to positively impact patient outcomes, institutions, communities, and overall population health.</p>
Nurse Perceptions of Influenza Vaccination
