Influenza vaccination by registered nurses: a personal decision

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Influenza poses significant morbidity and mortality risks, often leading to severe complications.
• Despite effective vaccines, influenza vaccination rates among nurses remain low due to reluctance.
• Understanding nurses' perspectives on vaccination is crucial for improving uptake.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a theoretical model explaining influenza vaccination uptake among registered nurses (RNs).
• To explore the decision-making process of RNs regarding influenza vaccination acceptance or refusal.

Main Methods:

• Grounded theory approach was employed in Nova Scotia, Canada.
• Unstructured, conversational interviews were conducted with 11 RNs.
• Constant comparative method was used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• The core finding is that nurses perceive influenza vaccination as a personal decision.
• Decision-making is influenced by information sources (education, media), personal knowing (philosophy, risk/benefit perception, experience), and personal modifiers (vaccine availability/accessibility).

Conclusions:

• The study provides a substantive theory on RNs' influenza vaccination decision-making.
• This framework can inform the development of more effective influenza immunization education and delivery strategies for healthcare professionals.