[k_rn]

Hi! I am RN from the PHil wanting to work in the US. But I am worried because I have just found out that I am Hep b carrier.. will i be discriminated and not passed during the medical Exam? Please comment.... I am afraid to take the (NCLEX & IELTS) exams and just end up failing in the medical exam...

[silentfades]

Hello

I work in an office that is certified by the Dept of Homeland Security to provide clearance for persons who wish reside / work in America as legal resident status.


The following test are what are required HIV / RPR / MMR POLIO AND VARICELLA / HEP SAB AND HBSAG / Screen for TB --by either PPD or CXR as well as a physical exam and mental status exam.

The only result that prohibits permanant entry is HIV seropositive status and even that depends upon if the person can show that returning to the country of orgin would result in life threatening discrimination.


We have had several nurses, physicians and other healthcare workers with some hepatitis B surface antigen positive who have applied for residency and citizenship. This has not been an issue if they can stay or work to my knowedge.

I know several of whom I have met they were here for work and or to complete fellowships and medical residencies as well who are working as nurses

I cannot state that this is how every office does work with the persons seeking Homeland approval patient who are HBSAG positive.
We have created an policy in regards to those with the diagnosis --

1) Persons who is hepatitis B antigen positive signs documents stating that they have been fully instructed in regards to thier status / transmission
need for ongoing follow up as well as potential outcomes.

2) Prior to our signing thier forms I-693 and Supplemental form
the person must be evaluated by a hepatologist and be under ongoing care. A viral load must be done and a letter from the hepatologist with his reccomendations.

3) Must be screened for HEP C and HEP A and given Havarix if negative as well as other vaccines utd

That is all providing all other test are done and results acceptable and physical exam and mental status are not found with pathology.

In regards to work--
Like those with hiv a health care provider may individually choose not to work in the areas that may lead to either patients becoming more easily infected or where thier is less exposure to other communicable diseases to the provider.

Such areas would be obstetrics emergency room surgery dialysis oncology.

However that is hardly limiting and a persons choice as shown time and time agian by various legal cases.

I do know it is against the law for any institution private or public to discriminate or from a person who is HIV positive or with other disabilities from employment.
HIV and other medical illness are seeing as a disability. As long as it does not affect the way you can provide care safely then there is not reason not to be gainfully employed with no discrimination.

The federal laws of United States Government take discrimination against people with illnesses quite seriously.

I would assume that when you employer becomes aware it would be under the employee health dept -- they are under HIPAA not allowed to share that with others and usually have protocols as long as the new employee is in complience --
ie under the care of a hepatologist and receiving ongoing evaluation and/or treatment at their choice and cleared to work by thier physician.

You may want to check out many of the web sites as well as foundations dealing with hepatitis that can be great resouces.As well I would look into the PHILI nurses web sites and talk to other PHILI nurses for their expiriences in this topic.

In regards to others disabilities and states of health-- however I assure you that offices who work for the Homeland Security as Civil Sugeons are under strict guidelines to help in the screening process.
.
Should you feel at any time that you are discriminated against or that you are not giving it a chance I strongly advise you to seek legal counsel or the phil nurses groups here in the United States.

I hope this has helped and hope that your deams become a reality.

Marc

[k_rn]

thanks a lot for the information. It has helped me a lot.

More power,
k

[pinayRN2004]

i am hep b reactive.. i have registered just now on this site to ask about this condition and luckily i promptly get an answer even without posting yet... :-) Silentfades' post made me more eager to succeed in my chosen career.. thanks a lot!

[TSB_nurse]

I’m a nursing student from philippines and hoping to graduate this march 2007. I was diagnosed asymptomatic hepB carrier. And becoz of that I was rejected from my first school of nursing eventhough I provide them my HepB profile and medical certificate that Im still capable of studying nursing. That time my world almost collapsed, coz I really wanted to be a nurse to help others and of course to earn money abroad. But still God is so good coz I was able to transfer in this college wherein they’re not that too strict about being hepB carrier and as a result, few months from now I’ll be having BSN degree.
But still things bothers me. Can I work as a nurse here in my own country? Can I work abroad? Im afraid that though I’ll pass the CGFNS or NCLEX I’ll end up failed in medical exam.
Please give me motivation and hope….

[prmenrs]

Silentfades previous response on this thread should answer your concerns.

Thank you, Silent, for that excellent resource.

[pixelpoint]

Hi TSB-nurse.

Can you please tell me more about your school? and possibly can you email me privately with additional information?

My sister is in 3rd year college nursing.. just about to get their first screening next month but she tried to check it out herself. She then turned out to be Hepa B (Reactive).

She is very much worried and planned to drop-out of school. She does not want to be known to be a carrier and it really devastated her.

Please tell us about your school regulation and if you were being publicly identified at your school and to your classmates to be a carrier. Please help, and I would really appreciate it.. Thank you in advance.

PixPT.

[jojotoo]

Silentfades - what a great, informative answer. Thanks.

[blueangel_17]

Originally Posted by silentfades

Hello

I work in an office that is certified by the Dept of Homeland Security to provide clearance for persons who wish reside / work in America as legal resident status.


The following test are what are required HIV / RPR / MMR POLIO AND VARICELLA / HEP SAB AND HBSAG / Screen for TB --by either PPD or CXR as well as a physical exam and mental status exam.

The only result that prohibits permanant entry is HIV seropositive status and even that depends upon if the person can show that returning to the country of orgin would result in life threatening discrimination.


We have had several nurses, physicians and other healthcare workers with some hepatitis B surface antigen positive who have applied for residency and citizenship. This has not been an issue if they can stay or work to my knowedge.

I know several of whom I have met they were here for work and or to complete fellowships and medical residencies as well who are working as nurses

I cannot state that this is how every office does work with the persons seeking Homeland approval patient who are HBSAG positive.
We have created an policy in regards to those with the diagnosis --

1) Persons who is hepatitis B antigen positive signs documents stating that they have been fully instructed in regards to thier status / transmission
need for ongoing follow up as well as potential outcomes.

2) Prior to our signing thier forms I-693 and Supplemental form
the person must be evaluated by a hepatologist and be under ongoing care. A viral load must be done and a letter from the hepatologist with his reccomendations.

3) Must be screened for HEP C and HEP A and given Havarix if negative as well as other vaccines utd

That is all providing all other test are done and results acceptable and physical exam and mental status are not found with pathology.

In regards to work--
Like those with hiv a health care provider may individually choose not to work in the areas that may lead to either patients becoming more easily infected or where thier is less exposure to other communicable diseases to the provider.

Such areas would be obstetrics emergency room surgery dialysis oncology.

However that is hardly limiting and a persons choice as shown time and time agian by various legal cases.

I do know it is against the law for any institution private or public to discriminate or from a person who is HIV positive or with other disabilities from employment.
HIV and other medical illness are seeing as a disability. As long as it does not affect the way you can provide care safely then there is not reason not to be gainfully employed with no discrimination.

The federal laws of United States Government take discrimination against people with illnesses quite seriously.

I would assume that when you employer becomes aware it would be under the employee health dept -- they are under HIPAA not allowed to share that with others and usually have protocols as long as the new employee is in complience --
ie under the care of a hepatologist and receiving ongoing evaluation and/or treatment at their choice and cleared to work by thier physician.

You may want to check out many of the web sites as well as foundations dealing with hepatitis that can be great resouces.As well I would look into the PHILI nurses web sites and talk to other PHILI nurses for their expiriences in this topic.

In regards to others disabilities and states of health-- however I assure you that offices who work for the Homeland Security as Civil Sugeons are under strict guidelines to help in the screening process.
.
Should you feel at any time that you are discriminated against or that you are not giving it a chance I strongly advise you to seek legal counsel or the phil nurses groups here in the United States.

I hope this has helped and hope that your deams become a reality.

Marc

thanks for the info actually that was also my problem as well as my cousin,professors in our school told us that hepa b positive nurses can not work in hospital, i got so worried and almost lost hope... but wid your info,i am encouraged again to study hard...coz im still studying in my senior year... thank you so much godbless