Date of Conferral

1-1-2011

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Deborah Lewis

Abstract

The United States has set a 90% benchmark for influenza vaccinations for healthcare personnel. Unfortunately, healthcare personnel fall far short of that mark with current rates as low as 62%. Low vaccination rates are responsible for influenza, nosocomial influenza, influenza-like illness, and mortality during influenza season. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to understand the relationship between leadership styles, attitudes towards evidence-based practice, and vaccination intention among New Jersey registered nurses (RNs). Diffusion of innovations theory was the theoretical foundation. The 3 instruments used were the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, Evidence Based Practice Attitude Scale, and Behavioral Intention Scales, which measured independent variables such as transformational leadership and attitudes toward evidence-based practice. Vaccination intent was the dependent variable. The results showed that transformational leadership was positively related to vaccination intent r(353) = .16, p < .01. There was no relationship between transactional leadership and vaccination intent r(353) = .01, p > .05 nor between attitudes toward evidence-based practice and vaccination intent r(353) = .09, p > .05. The implication of the study is that the effects of transformational leadership constitute a predictive tool to identify how an organization can increase vaccination rates among RNs. Implementing the recommendations of the study could promote social change by providing nursing leadership with tools to facilitate increased vaccination rates among health care personnel. Increasing vaccination rates for healthcare personnel will decrease vaccine-preventable illnesses and improve outcomes for hospitalized patients.

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