This is a public statement issued by the American Nurses Association\California Executive Director on September 30th, 2021.
The American Nurses Association\California supports the NCSBN, ANA, and seven other leading nursing organizations policy brief announcement to provide guidance for all boards of nursing, nursing education programs, and nursing students as it aligns with our previous immunization statement on July 26th, and the ANA's Immunizations Position Statement from July 22, 2020. This is an ethical commitment for nursing academia to take the necessary steps to ensure the health and well-being of our communities.
Currently, nursing programs are receiving requests from unvaccinated students to provide alternate experiences when the designated clinical facility mandates the COVID-19 vaccine. These requests range from using 100% simulation to the program finding other types of activities and case studies/scenarios.
Much of the fear and concern over receiving the vaccine is based on misinformation and lack of knowledge about the vaccine and its development (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021). According to one study, as of August 2021, 92% of nursing faculty were vaccinated or planned to be vaccinated and 86% of currently enrolled students have been vaccinated (National Student Nurses Association, 2021).
ANA\California supports the ongoing efforts to inform and educate nursing students on the importance of being vaccinated against COVID-19.
You can read the full policy brief here.
Respectfully,
Dr. Marketa Houskova, DNP, MAIA, BA, RN
Executive Director
Comments