Immunizing Children Who Fear and Resist Needles: Is it a Problem for Nurses?
Abstract
Despite increasing evidence that immunization procedures can be stressful for children, little is
known about what the experience of immunizing frightened and needle resistant children can be
like for nurses. This article presents findings from a qualitative research project designed to
explore public health nurses’ feelings towards immunizing needle resistant children. A
constructivist theoretical perspective and an action research approach framed the study. Data
sources included two survey questions and audio recorded transcribed data from three focus
groups. Participants included 35 public health nurses from five different health units in one
Canadian province. The data was analyzed for themes and confirmed with participants through
ongoing member checking. The following four overarching themes were identified and are used
to explain and describe significant features of the immunization experience that were stressful
and problematic for nurses: 1) Nurses experience stress when immunizing children who fear and
resist needle injection; 2) the strength of child resistance and some adult behaviour creates an
ethical dilemma for nurses; 3) some adult responses make immunizing difficult and unsafe; 4)
resources to help nurses cope with these situations are inconsistent.