title: Attitudes and immunisation practices of Australian general practice nurses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the decline in vaccine-preventable diseases, immunisation rates remain important. Nurses working in general practice (GPN) are often the first contact for childhood and adult immunisations and so impact vaccine provision.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to describe the current immunisation practices and attitudes of GPN prior to attending the Nurse Immuniser Training Program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prior to undertaking a Nurse Immuniser Training Program, registered nurses completed a survey describing their demographics, immunisation practice and attitudes to immunisation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-five GPNs completed the survey. Approximately 98% of participants perceived vaccines to be safe, effective and necessary for child healthcare, while 56.4% of participants reported insufficient knowledge of the childhood immunisation schedule. The majority of participants' practices provided free influenza vaccinations for their general practitioners (GPs) (89.5%) and Practice Nurses (91.6%). However, only half of the participants had been immunised against influenza themselves in the previous three years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important for GPNs to be equipped with sufficient knowledge of immunisation to provide appropriate education and opportunistic intervention. However, nurses also need to be aware of their own vaccination status and its impact on their practice.
authors: a School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health , University of Wollongong , Northfields Ave, Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Halcomb
authors: b Faculty of Health , University of Technology , Sydney, Level 7, 235 Jones St, Ultimo , NSW 2007 , Australia.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Hickman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: attitudes; immunisation; nursing; practice