Hepatitis B and Employment

Try doing a search because I know we have had others on here before asking the same question, so you might get more info that way.

As far as I know they can't discriminate just because your a HepB carrier, just like that can't if your HIV+, etc. We have a young girl in my nursing class who is HIV+ and very open about it in class. It's no one buisness though.

Good luck!

what if one is a nurse who is from another country, who has passed all the exams required for US and wants to work, would he/she be allowed to work? pls share any information if you have.

Yeah. I have a similar concern. I just joined this site and I would also like to know if a nurse from another country can work in a US hospital even if she/he is a Hepa B carrier.

Thanks!

hi.. i'm an asymptomatic HBsAg positive.. one of my clinical instructors told me that i wont be able to work in the US because of my condition.. HBsAG non-reactive is required in order to pass the medical exam. being a carrier discourages me to pursue this course.. i just knew it recently.. my relatives were affected too.. they are trying to find ways on how to cure it.. i told them it is irreversible. uncle told me about the doctor in sta mesa who's able to turn the postive hep B carrier into negative.. do you think it's wise to believe that i have a chance to correct my condition?

Your instructor is wrong, SH. The US takes a strong stand on anti-discrimination--being a carrier for Hep does not preclude you from employment ANYWHERE in the US. Your condition does not endanger anyone as long as you practice universal precautions--which any good nurse does anyhow. You do not have to be hep B negative to work in a health care setting in the US.

I work with a couple of nurses who are hep B and/or hep C positive. Nothing different is done for them than any other nurse. They have no restrictions. We would not even know that they were positive, except they (the nurses themselves) chose to share that information with us.

And don't fall for the "I can cure Hepatitis B/HIV/AIDS/Cancer" spiel from quacks. It's a lie. Don't waste your time, money, energy, or health.

I'm sorry for your condition, I had a grandfather who was Hepatits B condition and it is not as scary as some people make it to be.

I commend you for trying to help others with having a such condition,I believe if I'm not mistaken this disease is like TB just not so directly transmissible but it becomes symptomic at the latest stages of your life and person usually dont develop any symptoms throughout majority of their life so they hava a good health, having this disease at least you wont be discrimitive of others with this condition and most likely you will develop like compassion to patients with similar conditions because of you been there, done that

You have a valuable experience to bring to the world of nursing.
Good luck.

I'am a hepa b carrier and I'm planning to continue nursing as my course this coming second semester. But I'm afraid of finishing it because my professor in microbiology told us that those who are infected with hepa b virus can't be hire as nurse in the U.S and even in Canada.
I worked also as a hotel staff in a cruise line before but unfortunately i became jobless because the company required their crew to undergo hepa test and i found out i'm also a carrier of that virus..Almost agencies in the Philippines are not accepting employees affected in hepa b.
If any body who has the same situation that i have now, i would be appreciated to share with me your comments and help me
if its right to continue nursing as my course and profession someday?..i'm now in second year..