Examination of Nursing Staffs' Perceptions of the COVID-19 Vaccine Using the Health Belief Model

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic profoundly impacted patient care across the United States. Objective: To examine nursing staffs' perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework. Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey was completed by practicing nursing staffs throughout the United States. Analyses involved descriptive and comparative statistics. Results: Of the 294 nursing staff who completed surveys, 50% were between 18 and 37 years of age, and 73.1% were registered nurses, with 49.3% employed in a hospital setting. Nursing staff reported their primary reason for vaccination was concern for others (mean: 84.44; SD: 28.26), vaccine prevents spread (mean: 81.85; SD: 28.94), and own health (mean: 79.63; SD: 30.0). Influencing factors that predicted vaccination included age, Wilks' Lambda = 0.76, F(32, 919.86) = 2.20, p < .001, eta(2)(partial) = 0.066, and the vaccine mandate, Wilks' Lambda = 0.63, F(8, 249) = 18.61, p < .001, eta(2)(partial) = 0.374. Conclusion: Nursing staffs' perceptions using the HBM as a theoretical framework provided insight into their decisions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Further research is warranted to examine nurses' attitudes and factors that influence their decision-making regarding vaccination.