Future challenges for nurses : - Nursing student´s perception about caring for patients with hepatitis B in Vietnam.

Abstract: Background Hepatitis B is a world health problem. The virus is a blood pathogen that transfers through blood and body fluids. Hepatitis B is common in the west pacific area and in Vietnam nurses are at higher risk to get infected by hepatitis B. Aim The aim with the study is to describe Vietnamese nursing student´s perception of caring for patients with hepatitis B. Method It is a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. Result There is a lack of knowledge about hepatitis B in the community and self-education is needed in the care. Fear of getting infected among nurses and a mistrust for the vaccine were found. The awareness of getting infected by needles and sharp instrument were also found. Conclusion Lack of knowledge is a problem in the society, in the health care and also experienced by the nursing students. For the future the nursing students want to educate patients in how to live with the virus, but they see many challenges. Lack of knowledge leads to stigma that infected patients are exposed to by health care and the society, those actions of stigma affects the nursing students in how they see and treat the virus.