Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The leadership styles of healthcare organizations and the attitudes of nurses toward the adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) were examined to provide a predictor of influenza vaccination intent (VI) and improve the current inadequate vaccination rate among nurses.
BACKGROUND: Influenza is a costly and potentially serious disease. The United States has set a benchmark of a 90% influenza vaccination rate among healthcare personnel by 2020.
METHODS: A sample of 354 registered nurses completed a survey assessing demographic data, the leadership styles of their organization, their attitudes toward EBP, and their VI.
RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between transformational leadership and VI, but not between transactional leadership and VI. Attitudes toward EBP correlated weakly, but insignificantly, with VI.
CONCLUSIONS: Transformational leadership can predict and positively influence vaccination rates among nurses, thus decreasing vaccine preventable illness and improving patient outcomes.