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Summary Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the vaccination competence of graduating public health nurse students (PHN students) compared with public health nurses (PHNs). Methods Structured instruments were developed for this study: a self-assessment (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) of vaccination competence and a knowledge test. The data were collected through purposive sampling of graduating PHN students (n=129) from Finnish polytechnics representing the main geographical areas of Finland and PHNs (n=405), drawn from health centers in the same areas. Results PHNs assessed themselves to have higher vaccination competence than the PHN students, and also did better on the knowledge test. In multivariate analysis, when all common background variables were taken into account, there was no significant difference between the students and PHNs in the self-assessment, though the PHNs outperformed students on the knowledge test. Conclusions Both basic and continuing education could be improved. The knowledge test developed for this study could be used at polytechnics and workplaces to test vaccination knowledge, and self-assessment could be discussed as part of employee development discussions. Future research might focus on developing the existing instruments, observing vaccination situations, and on interviewing clients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the vaccination competence of Finnish public health nurses. Design and Sample: A survey design was used. Participants (n=405) were public health nurses working in health centers in Finland. Measures: The data were collected using a structured instrument and were analyzed by SAS. Results: The mean of self-assessment was 8.3 and the proportion percentage of correct answers in the knowledge test was 83 %. According to the self-assessment, public health nurses felt they were most competent in achieving the desired outcomes of vaccination implementation and poorest in their qualities as vaccinators. In the knowledge test, the public health nurses were familiar with vaccination recommendations and common contraindications, but showed room for improvement in managing an anaphylactic reaction, aseptic practices, and knowing the names of vaccines. There was a statistically significant link between the results on the self-assessment and the knowledge test. Conclusions: Further training should be organized in the areas where knowledge was lacking. It would be useful to further investigate differences in competence between public health nurses working different sectors. These results could be utilized in education, clinical nursing practice, administration and research. This study demons2 trated that vaccination competence can be measured by means of the structured instrument.

Summary Background Vaccination is a globally significant health prevention method implemented by health care professionals around the world. To date, however, there has been little research measuring vaccinators' vaccination competence. Aim This paper evaluates the vaccination competence of graduating Finnish public health nurse students in order to develop teaching in vaccinators' basic and continuing education. Methods Data were collected using a structured instrument developed for this study. The participants were graduating public health nurse students (n = 129). The measurement focused on the students' self-assessment of their vaccination competence using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), whereas their vaccination knowledge was tested with a knowledge test. Results Students assessed their level of vaccination competence as high. According to the self-assessment, their best competence area was achieved in the outcome of the implementation of vaccination. The students' poorest competence area was displayed in their qualities as vaccinators. In the knowledge test, the students distinguished vaccination recommendations and common contraindications well, but managing an anaphylactic reaction as well as knowing the names of vaccines showed room for improvement. Conclusions Vaccination competence can be measured by means of the structured instrument we developed. In Finland, more vaccination education in basic and continuing education is needed to maintain and develop vaccination competence.

The purpose of this study was to describe factors strengthening and weakening vaccination competence. The data were collected by focus group and individual interviews with 40 participants, consisting of health-care professionals, students and clients, and were then analysed by content analysis. The results could be classified into four categories: vaccinator professional conduct, education, client conduct and the vaccination environment. Successful client encounters, comprehensive knowledge of vaccinating, adequate education, clients' positive attitude, suitable physical environment and centralization of vaccinations were considered strengthening factors, whereas their opposites weakened vaccination competence. The two most important factors were vaccinator professional conduct and education, and therefore these factors should be considered the most in education, clinical practice and administration. Further research is necessary to determine how well current education, clinical practice and administration support factors strengthening, and help alleviate factors weakening vaccination competence.