Affiliations:
Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Sevcan Topçu, PhD, RN, Department of Public Health Nursing, Ege University, Faculty of Nursing, Bornova/İZMİR, Izmir, Turkey. Tel.: +090 232 3115644; E-mail: sevcan.topcu@ege.edu.tr; ORCID: 0000-0002-6228-1720.
Note: [1] ORCID: 0000-0002-6228-1720.
Note: [2] ORCID: 0000-0002-2809-5617.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:
Improving acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among nursing students is an important strategy for both preventing infection and building public confidence in the vaccine. OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to describe the views of intern nursing students on the COVID-19 vaccine and to evaluate their experiences in the COVID-19 vaccination unit. METHODS:
This was a phenomenological qualitative study with a descriptive design. The 46 intern nursing students included in this study were all trained in the COVID-19 vaccination unit. The data was collected at focus group interviews conducted during June 2021 and October 2021. RESULTS:
The mean age of intern nursing students was 22.78±0.91. From the focus group interviews, two themes were identified regarding the views of intern nursing students on the COVID-19 vaccine and their experiences in the COVID-19 vaccination unit: Theme 1. Positive views; Theme 2. Negative views. Intern nursing students described that they trust the COVID-19 vaccine and believe in its protection. Intern nursing students who performed their clinical practices in COVID-19 vaccination unit stated that they realized their responsibilities toward patients and the community. CONCLUSIONS:
From the INSs’ point of view, confidence in the vaccine, responsibility towards patients, their families and the community, and VU practice experience, the health risk associated with COVID-19 positively affected their decision to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The participation of intern nursing students in clinical practice during the pandemic influenced both intern nursing students and population in terms of the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.
