Need advice from nurses please!

[lizzyberry]

Hello I am currently in my nursing program for RN. So now I am starting to work 6 hours a week as a CNA in home health. I am about to work with someone who has Hepatitis C (Can I say this on the boards if not someone tell me) I have to do their bed baths and change sheets and change briefs (CNA duties) So Im scared. Ive never worked in a hospital before or with anyone who had any diseases. I only worked with one elderly lady. Anyways this is my first time working with a disease and Im scared. What are my chances of catching something like this? I have kids and Im just worried. I know this is going to be part of my future career but right now Im scared that I could possibly come into contact and something bad happen? I know Im panicking but please help I need to get over this fear. Can someone tell me what to do and how they overcame this fear in the beginning? And oh one more thing she smokes Im in her home for three hours and Im not a smoker. What would you guys do with a patient that smokes and house smells of cigarettes? Thanks Hope you guys can help!

[shellsincanada]

Sure this may this woman's home and she can smoke in it BUT it would also be my WORKPLACE and I believe I have a expectation of a smoke free workplace. I have no issues of the smoke smells in the house- just if she is smoking while I am present.

So if I get cancer can I file for workers comp? I don't smoke and I don't expose myself to second hand smoke ( easy here - no smoking in public places including bars, eating establishments, any place public)

I do home health ( canada ) and we ask the patient not to smoke for 1 hour before we come. And I am not in there for more then an hour tops. Usually 15 mins to half an hour ( mostly dressing changes, health checks, blood sugars and insulin, med admins etc)