To get the flu shot or not to get the flu shot...

I am a fourth semester registered nursing student in Idaho. Throughout my nursing education, I have never received a flu shot of any kind. The reason is because I feel that I am a healthy 22 year old, and that there are other people who need it more than I do. How do other people view this issue? Is it something that I should consider once I graduate and become a full-time working RN?
Use your brain cells on more important matters. Get the shot and be done with it.Sheesh!

It is not just you you need to worry about its your pts. you are more likely to carry the virus arround and make others sick if you do not get it

My facility makes me get a flu shot. If I dont I have to sign a waiver that I will wear a mask everyday to work until the flu season is over.If you are healthy otherwise you dont really need one,If you want to work with a high risk population (like a Nurse) you qualify for one. Do those people who need it more than you do work with the public, mostly who are ill with the flu? Probably not, I would just go and get one.

Around 50% of health care providers who were asymptomatic were found to be carriers of influenza in a study I read. I'll cite if you are still being silly and not getting vaccinated.Get the shot.

Quote from jordansnappi am a fourth semester registered nursing student in idaho. throughout my nursing education, i have never received a flu shot of any kind. the reason is because i feel that i am a healthy 22 year old, and that there are other people who need it more than i do. how do other people view this issue? is it something that i should consider once i graduate and become a full-time working rn?

Nothing to think about. Get the shot. Protect yourself, your family and your patients.

The first time I got the flu I was "a healthy 22 year old."

My daughter was a healthy 21 year old who ended up in the hospital last year with pericarditis because of the flu. Guess what? She got her flu shot as soon as she could this year!

The first time when I got the flu shot was in my mid 40's. If you don't want it . don't do it. I got it because, I knew I am going get immunized either way, getting flu from my patients or from the shot.

Get it! I skipped it this year and am now sitting here taking Tamiflu and pushing fluids like crazy. I have a temp of 102.5 and am off work for seven days.

I'm somewhat anti-vaccine (my children don't get any vaccines until they're 10-12) but I do get the flu shot every fall. I'm protecting myself, my family, and my patients (who are often immuno-compromised).For me, I feel it's especially important since my children aren't vaccinated, that I do whatever I can to protect them to whatever I'm exposed to.

Should you get the flu, you're contagious for about 2 weeks before you become symptomatic. You'll be working with patients who are already compromised, and coworkers who don't care to share your germs. As health care providers we owe our patients the protection. If you don't get the shot for you, you really must get it for them.BTW, I always get the flu shot, and enjoy seeing coworkers who refuse. Inevitably they are half carried into the ER by their family. You can always tell a good case of the flu by the right hand! Listing the symptoms would make it sound like a bad cold, but if the patient looks grey, and a family member is patting the right hand telling him/her "now now, I know you think you're gonna die and just want to get it over with, but you will be OK." A couple of liters of IV fluids, anti-emetics, maybe some Tami-flu, and 7 to 10 days riding it out, and they're fine. They never refuse the flu shot again!