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Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?



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Feb 09, 2009 09:12 PM

Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?

by Halla17

Hello.

I was wondering if somebody can give me a solid, credible answer to this question that I have wondered for years. I am in my fourth year of undergraduate school, but I am not a nursing major. A few years back (when I was a pre-nursing major), I had an RN tell me that if I was a carrier of MRSA that nobody would ever hire me as a nurse, so I shyed away from going down the nursing career path and changed my major. I'm still interested in pursuing nursing and have been looking at many Direct Entry MSN programs for graduates with degrees in non-nursing fields. A few years ago, I had a few MRSA infections and since then I haven't had any infections. About three years ago I was tested from a culture in my nose and was officially told that I was a carrier of MRSA. Before, I really decide to continue with my education, I need to know whether or not a hospital or any company would hire a registered nurse which is a carrier of MRSA? Is this simply a rumor or would it be a waste of time to pursue a nursing career as a carrier of MRSA and never get hired?

Thank you so much in advance for any information anyone can provide me with.


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14 Comments
No. 1
from 2ndwind
Old Feb 09, 2009, 09:19 PM

Love Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
Well, Well... so I hear, many healthcare workers would then be out of jobs.
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No. 2
from cookienay
Old Feb 09, 2009, 09:30 PM

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
First of all, I can't see that specific question coming up in a job interview. Secondly, I doubt it is legal to ask it. THirdly, I am laughing at the nurse that told you that. Why? Because it is certain that she is probably carrying MRSA as well. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. And please, don't let this stop you from pursuing your chosen path!
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No. 3
from vashtee
Old Feb 09, 2009, 09:34 PM

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
My study-buddy from nursing school is a carrier, and she was hired with no problem... she was one of the top of the class...
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No. 4
from zacarias
Old Feb 09, 2009, 09:44 PM
Updated Feb 09, 2009 at 09:45 PM by zacarias

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
An HIV + nurse can get a job as a nurse so why can't a person colonized with MRSA?

Most of us have colonized staph aureus on our bodies..some of us have methicilin-sensitive and some of us don't, so a "MRSA carrier" will not have a problem getting a job on that basis.
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No. 5
Old Feb 09, 2009, 10:17 PM

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
I don't have a solid answer, but I can only believe that most of us are colonized with MANY strains of just about everything-how could we not be? All the handwashing in the world won't keep us germ-free after spending 20-80 hours a week speeding around a hospital for years. If someone made a rule like this and started testing nurses, there really wouldn't be anyone left nursing.
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No. 6
from travel50
Old Feb 09, 2009, 10:21 PM

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
I suspect we all are carriers of something. I carry strep. My throat has been swabed for strep several times when I was not sick to check for this (long story), and it is always positive for strep. Yet I have never had strep. No one is going to ask you what you might be a carrier of. And if they do, it is none of their business.
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No. 7
from GooeyRN
Old Feb 09, 2009, 10:29 PM

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
How would your potential employer know that you are a carrier? A LOT of nurses would be out of jobs.....
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No. 8
from WindyHill
Old Feb 09, 2009, 10:38 PM

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
I think we all have it..........................
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No. 9
Old Feb 09, 2009, 10:52 PM

Default Re: Hiring a nurse that's a carrier of MRSA - Can that happen?
If some one with AIDs can be a nurse then some one with MRSA can too. Many nurses carry MRSA, almost all nurses carry s.aureus in their nares according to my old Micro teacher.
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