Hepatitis B and Employment

Nurses Disabilities

Published

Hi all, I'm a nurse from the Philippines but moved here in WA US in 2015. It's been a long journey for me to get here. It was pretty much scary when I found out that I am a Hep b carrier when I was in High School. It became worst when I entered nursing school when my dean discouraged me that I might not land a nursing job abroad with my condition. Because of this, I was hesitant to find a regular staff nursing job when I became a registered nurse in 2007. So the last 9 years for me had been full of doubts whether I could ever fulfill my dreams in the US. Just to let you know, I'm quite a fantastic nurse, I aced nursing school, my board exam and the Nclex in 2008. So everything was laid for me... except that I was scared of being discriminated. Fast forward 2016, I will start working as a registered nurse in the state of washington on Monday. Did the hep b become a problem when I applied for the job? No. The nursing director even told me that I don't have to disclose my condition but she appreciated my integrity. She affirmed that it's not a problem 'coz we practice standard precautions. It's a huge relief on my part. I also asked some other employers which I did not formally send my application. They said the same, that my condition should never be discriminated. Now, for all of you nurses who is asking, "What if I process my application from the PI?" Well, I did process an application from the PI before (but did not push through coz my husband petitioned me instead) and guess what? they said the same thing with my hep b... so no worries if you guys have it. The immigration won't screen you. The employers can never discriminate us.

Good luck to all of you nurses who want to start a career in the US! and to those who share the same story as mine. Paying forward and felt the need to share my story to help my fellow nurses. Don't let anything or anyone trash your dreams for you :)

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Thank you so much for this post! I am worried if I will be able to find a job as an RN when I am Hep C antibody positive... I have no idea where and how I got it, but I do have antibodies in my blood but my viral load always comes undetected - I check annually for 6 years now and am planning on continuing to do so! Was worried as to what employers are going to say about it and will I be tested before beginning to work as a nurse..

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Thank you so much for this post! I am worried if I will be able to find a job as an RN when I am Hep C antibody positive... I have no idea where and how I got it, but I do have antibodies in my blood but my viral load always comes undetected - I check annually for 6 years now and am planning on continuing to do so! Was worried as to what employers are going to say about it and will I be tested before beginning to work as a nurse..

Hi sorry to ask but do you think you got if from nursing? That's my biggest fear and maybe this is one of the reasons I yet haven't admitted to myself on why I keep postponing nursing school. I went in for CMA and got exposed to blood I got a big scare out of me lol... Anyways God bless

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This also happened years ago everything is fine now:)

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Hi updating you with my hepatitis b journey as a registered in the US. I have applied a job as a dialysis nurse and I got hired. (of all the specialties lol) I haven't disclosed yet about my status but I will once I get a hold of the facility administrator. I will keep you guys updated!

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To update my previous post, I got the job as a Dialysis RN. I disclosed my medical condition to the facility administrator and all she said was for me not to worry coz its not an issue and she appreciate my openess. What a relief! There is hope out there!

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