October 16, 2017
As flu season approaches, Emma Aquino-Maneja, a dedicated nursing instructor at American Career College-Los Angeles (ACC-LA), has issued a strong call to action for all nurses to get vaccinated against the flu. Her appeal, published in a letter to Nursing 2017 magazine, underscores the critical role of vaccination in safeguarding both nurses and their patients.
Aquino-Maneja, who shares her expertise with students in ACC-Los Angeles’ evening/weekend Vocational Nursing (VN) program and also serves as a Kaiser Permanente educator for outpatient services, was deeply motivated to write her letter following a personal experience. The loss of a young, healthy individual to the flu, with no pre-existing conditions, served as a stark reminder of the virus’s indiscriminate nature. “The incident was a grim reminder that flu does not discriminate,” Aquino-Maneja stated in her letter, emphasizing the universal risk the flu poses.
In her publication within Nursing 2017, a respected journal within the nursing profession, Aquino-Maneja references concerning statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These figures reveal that a significant portion, approximately one-third, of healthcare workers opted out of flu immunization during the previous flu season. Common reasons cited include fears about potential side effects and skepticism regarding the vaccine’s effectiveness. Addressing these concerns directly, Aquino-Maneja urges her fellow nurses to seek reliable information, recommending the CDC website as a trustworthy resource to “discern flu facts from myths.” This aligns with the educational rigor expected from aspiring nurses in programs like the American Career College ADN program, which emphasizes evidence-based practices and patient-centered care.
Aquino-Maneja further appeals to the ethical obligations of nurses, invoking the Nursing Code of Ethics. She draws a powerful analogy to airplane safety instructions, where individuals are advised to secure their own oxygen masks before assisting others. “In the same token, we must protect ourselves first by being vaccinated to safeguard our patients’ well-being,” she argues. This proactive approach to personal health is presented not just as self-care, but as a fundamental aspect of professional responsibility within nursing. By choosing vaccination, nurses actively demonstrate their commitment to patient safety, setting a crucial example within the healthcare environment. For those exploring nursing career paths, such as through an ADN program, understanding these ethical dimensions is paramount. Online forums like allnurses often feature discussions on these professional responsibilities, highlighting the importance of flu vaccination within the nursing community.
Aquino-Maneja concludes her letter with a compelling question and a clear call to action: “Should we wait until a loved one or we have contracted the flu? The time is now, get vaccinated!” Her message is a timely reminder of the importance of preventative healthcare measures within the nursing profession and for anyone considering a career in nursing, including those exploring the American Career College ADN program. Her letter appeared in the November issue of Nursing 2017, extending her reach to a wide audience of nursing professionals.
