Question about vaccination requirements before clinicals?

[zooz]

I just wrote this long post about vaccination requirements before I start my CNA course's clinicals in the CNA forum. But I think I should also pose my main question/concern here. It is:[/url]

Are you usually required to have all the shots in a multiple dose vaccine (such as the three dose Hepatitis B vaccine which takes a total of six months, or varicella which is, I believe, two doses over 2-4 months) or is having proof of the first dose in the series enough to start class/clinicals as long as you continue to receive the other doses (after the required waiting period) on-time?

I would usually call my school to ask, but they're closed this week (spring break :angryfire ) and I have a feeling I'll be obsessing about this all weekend if I don't get an idea of how this usually works.

Thanks in advance!

[PatricksRNMommy]

I don't know if different schools have different requirements (which they probably do), but at my community college, if we didnt have all 3 Hepatitis B shots, we had to sign a form stating that we didnt have full protection against Hepatitis B. I got my first shot and then started clinicals and later on finished the series. I would imagine that Varicella would be the same, although I didnt have to have that one since I was considered immune d/t hx of chickenpox.

Lindsay

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

We had to have our MMR, tetnus, disease records on file by Aug. 1st of fall. Hep B we could either start the series or sign a waiver. I signed because I wasn't done getting the series yet, and I didn't want anything setting me back. Now I'm ok.

[Kiringat]

We had to have 2 Hep Bs done, as well as MMRs, tetnus and a chickenpox vaccine or titer.

[MB37]

I have all of mine done (as of yesterday) but I asked and for my school you must have STARTED all vaccination series before registering for nursing classes. We don't have clinicals until second semester though, so you'd be starting clinicals in late August and getting your 3rd Hep B shot in September if you started right now.

[sbyramRN]

We had to have two of the three done before class began. The third had to be completed before clinicals started in the second semester.

[zooz]

I appreciate all the replies (they made me calm down a bit). I'm just hoping all my titers will come back positive and I can find all my medical records by the time clinicals start. Also hoping that the HBV waiver requirement is for the Hepatitis B #3 requirement and they just forgot to put them on the same line. (See the link in my starting post.)

Otherwise, I'll guess I'll just have to wait for the next class to come around. (And while patience may be a virtue, it isn't a virtue I currently posses.)

I have all of mine done (as of yesterday) but I asked and for my school you must have STARTED all vaccination series before registering for nursing classes. We don't have clinicals until second semester though, so you'd be starting clinicals in late August and getting your 3rd Hep B shot in September if you started right now.

Actually I'm enrolled in a CNA course, not a nursing program (first step in my CNA-LPN-RN plan). It lasts about 14 weeks (3 nights a week). Starts mid-May and ends in mid-August.

Ugh. I wish they would have notified me of these requirements sooner.

[queenjean]

Well, look on the bright side--you won't have to do all this again when you apply to nursing school! Just keep your paperwork in a safe place, and make multiple copies of your titers and records when you get the results. I keep my copies along with copies of other important documents at my in-laws' house (because my MIL is the most organized person in the entire world, I kid you not), in my own personal file, and at my parent's house. You never know when you might need them--a job, during travel, etc.

[zooz]

Well, look on the bright side--you won't have to do all this again when you apply to nursing school! Just keep your paperwork in a safe place, and make multiple copies of your titers and records when you get the results. I keep my copies along with copies of other important documents at my in-laws' house (because my MIL is the most organized person in the entire world, I kid you not), in my own personal file, and at my parent's house. You never know when you might need them--a job, during travel, etc.

You're absolutely right. Once I get this all straightened out, I won't have to do it again. (Thank God for small favors.)

I've already put all my important files (minus the ones I need the most and can't find, that is) in one place and, since you mentioned it, I'll probably give copies to my Dad as a backup once I get all my medical records. Great idea, queenjean. Thanks!

[midcom]

We just needed proof that we had started the 3 shot series & then report as we get the rest. I started class in October & just got my last Hep B.

Be sure you get everything even if you fel you don't need it. I am 56 yrs old & had measles, mumps, & rubella as a child so shouldn't need the vaccines but now I want to do some job shadowing & the hospital is dragging their feet about clearing me. Looks like even a titre won't surfice so I'll be getting the shot. I guess it's OK because when I apply for a job they'll probably require it anyway.

Dixie

[Cinqly, BSN, RN]

We needed proof that we had recieved at least the first shot on MMR and Varicella, and the first 2 shots for Hep B. Otherwise, you need to sign a waiver for Hep B. We are not allowed to register for our classes (fall start) until we turn in ALL of our health information AND the rest of our new-student packet! It's a lot to get done in a short amount of time!