Nursing students’ experiences of exposure to pandemic influenza A (H1N1)

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of nursing students with exposure of influenza A (H1N1).

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. A total of 24 nursing students participated in six focus groups.

Results: The six themes that emerged from the data are as follows: (1) worrying about becoming infected; (2) protectingoneself and others; (3) relying on the nurses in the school health center; (4) being hurt by others’ negative reactions; (5)being ambivalent, and (6) being concerned over the high price.

Conclusions: Nursing students who come in contact with patients in a clinical setting must also be considered as candidatesfor early vaccination. Healthcare professionals, as well as family and friends, should keep in mind that their verbal ornonverbal expressions can hurt others’ feelings at a time when special care and support are needed the most. Stigma couldbe serious barriers of people's access to health services and preventive behaviors. Therefore, education on stigma reductionassociated with pandemic infection is essential to enhance public health preparedness.