Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Major

Nursing

Date of Defense

7-11-2019

Graduate Advisor

Nancy Magnuson, DSN, CS, FNP-BC

Committee

Lisa E. Merritt, DNP, CPNP-PC/AC, PMHS

Emily D. Doucette, MD, MSPH, FAAFP

Abstract

Abstract

Immunizations have been proven to control life-threatening diseases. Often Registered Nurses (RNs) administer vaccines but are unsure how to discuss vaccines with vaccine hesitant patients. Missouri’s adolescent vaccination rates are below its neighboring states. This initiative’s purpose was to increase adolescent vaccine administrations at a Missouri County Health Department (MCHD).

This quality improvement initiative had an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive design. RNs employed at three MCHD clinics attended an adolescent vaccine administration training program (VAT) and completed pre-/post-tests regarding the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices recommendations. Medical record reviews from March 1-April 30, 2018 and March 1-April 30, 2019 compared vaccination rates.

Twenty-four RNs (N = 24) attended the VAT, 390 medical records were reviewed. Increases in administrations for specific vaccines at each clinic in 2019 were observed. RN knowledge increased after training (t [23] = -2.34; p = 0.03), however, no difference in RN confidence scores (t [23] = -2.00; p = 0.06) was observed.

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