Nursing and STD's

May 30, 2008 10:29 PM

by Career Student

I am wondering about STD's, herpies, and other incurable diseases and becoming a nurse. Reason is, I have a friend that is starting classes this summer and he will eventually apply for the Nursing Program, when he has finished all his pre-reqs. I know that everyone has to get a physical prior to starting in the Nursing Program, is this something that will be looked for? He is actually the one that got me turned on to nursing and he is a great guy but I would hate for him to start something that he would not be able to finish and have spent the money for classes.

Does anyone know the answer?

It usually is the patient that you have to worry about not the nurse taking care of you.

PS: I will taking the NAT next week....please keep your fingers, toes, eyes, and anything else that can be crossed, crossed.

Thanks!

engima2174 · May 31, 2008, 12:14 AM

Re: Nursing and STD's

I'm not sure I understand the question... With that in mind, I will speculate and say... I believe when we receive a physical for nursing, the school is looking for anything that will prevent a person from working as a nurse.That will inhibit student from performing the duties tasks of a Nurse. That said, there are some illnesses that I am sure are a concern e.g. Chicken pox that are addressed with the vaccination requirements. If someone has TB, they must go through treatment and get clearance. I believe the treatment is ISONIAZID. STDs mainly HIV should not be an issue. I think legally they (any institution)are not allowed to discriminate. I know of Nurses who are HIV + that are practicing. The important thing is to be have a diagnosis, and be on treatment. Again,I am speaking "blindly". I suspect there are other debilitating illnesses that are of greater concern. I would imagine, heart disease, mental conditions. I should receive my medical requirement list and hope to respond again.

PS: Herpes is an interesting one, because there is no cure...

Originally Posted by Career Student

I am wondering about STD's, herpies, and other incurable diseases and becoming a nurse. Reason is, I have a friend that is starting classes this summer and he will eventually apply for the Nursing Program, when he has finished all his pre-reqs. I know that everyone has to get a physical prior to starting in the Nursing Program, is this something that will be looked for? He is actually the one that got me turned on to nursing and he is a great guy but I would hate for him to start something that he would not be able to finish and have spent the money for classes.

Does anyone know the answer? It usually is the patient that you have to worry about not the nurse taking care of you.

PS: I will taking the NAT next week....please keep your fingers, toes, eyes, and anything else that can be crossed, crossed. Thanks!

Natingale · May 31, 2008, 02:00 PM

Re: Nursing and STD's

Um I wouldnt worry about STDs since its a sexually transmitted disease. For someone to get a STD I think they will have bigger fish to fry than the actual disease, like how in the heck was it transmitted.

using standard precautions (hand washing glove wearing masks when necessary) will ease your mind. Plus depending on where you work its a bunch of old people that fell out of bed, i would worry more about getting klebsiella pseudomonas MRSA VRE from them, than giving out STDS.

So to answer your question, I wouldnt worry since its the same physical they give kids that go to camp. Except they check for titres (hep b MMR varicella)

MsOptimistic · May 31, 2008, 03:56 PM

Re: Nursing and STD's

im curious now. Can you be a nurse and have HIV/AIDS? i mean, is that allowed? is it legal? Just wondering........... I'm not saying that one shouldnt be a nurse if they have HIV/AIDS i'm just curious thats all. I dont want to offend anybody but i would like to know.

mcubed45 · May 31, 2008, 09:21 PM

Re: Nursing and STD's

Originally Posted by MsOptimistic

im curious now. Can you be a nurse and have HIV/AIDS? i mean, is that allowed? is it legal? Just wondering........... I'm not saying that one shouldnt be a nurse if they have HIV/AIDS i'm just curious thats all. I dont want to offend anybody but i would like to know.

as long as you're not planning on sleeping with or sharing needles with your patients, i don't see why that would ever be an issue. there's not really any risk of transmission. you're prolly more likely to get something from your patients than the other way around.

**traumaRUs** · May 31, 2008, 10:04 PM

Re: Nursing and STD's

As long as universal precautions are used, yes nurses who are HIV+ and/or AIDS can indeed work as nurses. As to nurses with STDs - unless you are having sex with your patients this is not an issue either.

Career Student · May 31, 2008, 10:36 PM

Re: Nursing and STD's

Thanks for everyones in put here. Like I said I was just wondering if it would hender his becoming a nurse. I don't think he would be sleeping with his patients. ha ha ha I never thought of it that way! Again thanks for all the replies.

MotivatedOne · Jun 03, 2008, 04:21 AM

Re: Nursing and STD's

I'm pretty much bored at work. I came across a board under the forums heading for nurses with disabilities and there was a thread started by a nurse who has HIV and a few other nurses with HIV, HCV or other sexually transmitted diseases responded. Maybe they can offer you more information for your friend.

shrimpchips · Jun 03, 2008, 10:05 AM

Re: Nursing and STD's

I believe they're more so concerned about infectious diseases - TB is a BIG one. I'm not saying that STDs are not infectious because they are, but they are sexually transmitted. unless the nurse plans on having sex with their patients (NOOOO!

) or sharing needles with them or something (in the case of HIV/AIDS) then it really shouldn't be a problem.

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Nursing and STD's

Nursing and STD's

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