Undergraduate nursing students' COVID-19 vaccine intentions: A national survey.

INTRODUCTION: In December 2020, the first two COVID-19 vaccines were approved in the United States (U.S.) and recommended for distribution to front-line personnel, including nurses. Nursing students are being prepared to fill critical gaps in the health care workforce and have played important supportive roles during the current pandemic. Research has focused on vaccine intentions of current health care providers and less is known about students' intentions to vaccinate for COVID-19. METHODS: A national sample of undergraduate nursing students were recruited across five nursing schools in five U.S. regions in December 2020. The survey measured perceived risk/threat of COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, perceived safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, sources for vaccine information and level of intention to become vaccinated [primary, secondary (i.e., delayed), or no intention to vaccinate]. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 772 students. The majority (83.6%) had intentions to be vaccinated, however of those 31.1% indicated secondary intention, a delay in intention or increased hesitancy). The strongest predictors of primary intention were positive attitudes (OR = 6.86; CI = 4.39-10.72), having lower safety concerns (OR = 0.26; CI = 0.18-0.36), and consulting social media as a source of information (OR = 1.56; CI = 1.23-1.97). Asian (OR = 0.47; CI = 0.23-0.97) and Black (OR 0.26; CI = 0.08-0.80) students were more likely to indicate secondary intention as compared to primary intention. Students in the Midwest were most likely to indicate no intention as compared to secondary intention (OR = 4.6; CI = 1.32-16.11). CONCLUSIONS: As the first two COVID-19 vaccines were approved/recommended in the U.S. nursing students had overall high intentions to vaccinate. Findings can guide development of educational interventions that reduce concerns of vaccine safety that are delivered in a way that is supportive and affirming to minoritized populations while being respectful of geo-political differences.

Factors associated with Texas Nurses' Consideration to Leave the Nursing Workforce: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Nurses provide a majority of the patient care in hospital and long-term care settings. The state of Texas is expected to have the third largest shortage of nurses by the year 2030, and currently the lack of registered nurses (RNs) is growing. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Texas over the last 18 months, and there is grave concern for the future impact on the Texas nursing workforce. Purpose: Assess specific demographic and COVID-19-related predictors of intention to leave the workforce in Texas nurses. Methods: Online survey of Texas nurses. Results: 311 Texas nurses completed the survey;nearly 19% considered leaving the nursing workforce, with the two most common reasons being an unsafe work environment and family/caregiver strains. Nurses who felt strengthened in their commitment to nursing had lower odds of leaving the nursing workforce. Summary: The outcomes of this study suggest that a significant nursing shortage could be looming in Texas if interventions are not developed to support nurses in their current role, particularly around safety and balancing family/caregiver needs. The results provide additional parameters regarding workforce planning at the hospital and state level. Now is the time for nurse educators, employers, and policy-makers to expand policies and implement targeted programs to retain nurses in the workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Texas Public Health Journal is the property of Texas Public Health Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

COVID-19 Vaccination Rates, Intention to Vaccinate, and Predictors of Vaccination among Texas Nurses

Background: Nurses are at a higher risk than the general public for contracting COVID-19. Ensuring vaccination is one measure to limit the pandemic. Purpose: To assess COVID-19 vaccination status, intention, and hesitancy among Texas nurses three months after emergency use authorization vaccine approval. Methods: Online survey of Texas nurses. Results: Nearly half of the nurses worked in a hospital setting, and 88% intended to or had been vaccinated. The odds for no intention to vaccinate were 4.23 times higher among those who tested positive or did not take a COVID-19 test. No intent to vaccinate had lower mean general (favorable) COVID-19 vaccine attitudes (Mean=3.2, standard deviation [SD]=1.1) and higher mean lack of perceived safety of the vaccine (Mean=4.0, SD=1.1). Summary: That 12% of Texas nurses who responded to the survey do not intend to receive the vaccine is a call to action. Interventions tailored to address previous COVID-19 disease, vaccine attitudes, lack of perceived severity, and vaccine safety are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Texas Public Health Journal is the property of Texas Public Health Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Undergraduate nursing students' perceptions on nursing education during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic: A national sample.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, nursing educational programs were abruptly interrupted and largely moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PURPOSE: To explore nursing students' perspectives about the effects of the pandemic on their education and intention to join the nursing workforce. METHODS: Undergraduate nursing students from 5 universities across 5 United States regions were invited to participate in an online survey to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data. FINDINGS: The final sample included quantitative data on 772 students and qualitative data on 540 students. Largely (65.1%), students reported that the pandemic strengthened their desire to become a nurse; only 11% had considered withdrawing from school. Qualitatively, students described the effect of the pandemic on their psychosocial wellbeing, adjustment to online learning, and challenges to clinical experiences. CONCLUSION: Findings highlighted the need to develop emergency education preparedness plans that address student wellbeing and novel collaborative partnerships between schools and clinical partners.