With flu season already upon us, you probably have a lot of questions, especially if you are on a contract assignment or have  picked up a shift

<p>
  With flu season already upon us, you probably have a lot of questions,
  especially if you are on a contract assignment or have picked up a shift. Many
  nurses wonder if there is a specific flu shot policy for healthcare workers at
  their current facility. Ideally, the facility in which you are working should
  notify you of their policy and make clear any specifications of which you need
  to be aware. In fact, if you know you will be on assignment or picking up a
  shift during flu season, it is a good idea to discuss these types of
  requirements with your recruiter beforehand.
</p>

<h2>Are Nurses/Healthcare Workers Required to Get a Flu Shot?</h2>

<p>
  An excellent source of
  <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/healthcareworkers.htm"
    >flu education for healthcare workers</a
  >
  is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. There, nurses can find
  valuable information and statistics about the flu and flu vaccinations, as
  well as the CDC&rsquo;s flu recommendations for healthcare workers. Their
  position is that all healthcare workers should receive a flu shot annually,
  and they give detailed information about the importance of flu vaccine for
  healthcare workers. According to the CDC, 18 states currently have established
  flu vaccination requirements for hospital healthcare workers. This does not
  necessarily mean, however, that the flu shot is required in those states.
  Requirements differ in each of those states and range from mandatory flu shots
  to adopting policies that recommend flu shots for all workers or simply
  documenting the flu shot status of each individual employee.
</p>

<h2>How Can Nurses Prevent Getting or Spreading the Flu?</h2>

<p>
  As a healthcare worker, you are no doubt more experienced and knowledgeable
  than most when it comes to knowing how to prevent getting or spreading the
  flu. That said, it doesn&rsquo;t hurt to remind yourself of the basic dos and
  don&rsquo;ts. The proven, most effective tool in preventing the flu is
  stopping its spread and adhering to the suggestions on this list will help you
  do just that.
</p>

<ul>
  <li>Get vaccinated.</li>
  <li>
    Be aware of flu symptoms in yourself and others, including fever, cough,
    sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
  </li>
  <li>Wash your hands thoroughly and often.</li>
  <li>
    Cover your nose when you cough or sneeze, and immediately dispose of any
    tissue you may have used.
  </li>
  <li>
    Be constantly aware of what comes into contact with your eyes, mouth and
    nose, including your hands.
  </li>
  <li>
    Keep your body healthy with plenty of sleep and whole foods that supply
    proper nutrients.
  </li>
  <li>Do not go to work if you have flu symptoms!</li>
</ul>

<p>
  Flu season is a great time to earn extra money working a contract assignment
  or picking up per diem shifts! Search all of our
  <a href="https://www.msnhealth.com/job-search"
    >current per diem and local contract assignments</a
  >.
</p>


How Healthcare Workers & Nurses Can Avoid Getting Sick with the Flu