Can A School Deny Me Because of Hep B?

Published

Hi! I got accepted to the 2 year program at my school and while the school nurse was reviewing my papers she came across a check mark where my doctor had written that I was in an infectious state. I did not want to lie so I told the truth about being a Hep B carrier. At first the Nurse said that I might not be able to do clinicals which means no program. Now they want me to get my GI doctor to right a note saying that I can go along with the program. I only have a month left until school starts and it seems like time is running out for me. I had to do blood work and now I have a liver biopsy coming up. I am getting really frustrated because I feel as if they are discriminating against me. Does anyone know if a school can deny me from the program because of my Hep B? :cry:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ..

As far as I know, they can't. They - and you - just have to take the appropraite precautions to prevent transmission.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Deny you, no. Not for that reason. They may think of something else but you can not be discriminated against because of health reasons. To be a chronic carrier does not mean you have live virus it just means that you have a positive test. I forget if its the antigen or antibody. Hep B is transmitted in different ways and as a nurse you would not be involved with a patient that would cause transmission. We all practice standard percautions regardless of the situation. The board may require that you get testing done every six months to see what your viral load is. If your liver enzymes are fine and your viral load is low you are ok. There are thousands of chronic carriers that practice. The main thing is safety. People infected with AIDS practice so I dont see where there should be an issue. Some carriers live there whole life as a carrier and it never affects them unless they get a very depressed immune system. I hope things work out. I know of several people that was in nursing school or have graduated that are chronis carriers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

chances are none of their sites will take you .... if they can't find you a clinical placement .... they are probably can

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am not sure but wanted to say (((hugs)))

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ummm nope that would be discrimination. Now, its borderline discrimination to deny someone because of a tattoo or piercing.... Threaten them with a discrimination lawsuit.... :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

When I had Hep B, all my employer needed was a note from my doctor. Sounds like that's what they asked you for. While the school may be okay with you as an individual, if their clinical sites require students to be free of infectious diseases they may turn you down on the basis of not being able to provide adequate educational experiences (IMO only).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you everyone for the quick replies. Hey JBudd! I was wondering what kind of note they asked you for? I've read one forum where someone just needed a verification from their doctor that they really had Hep B. My situation is different though. They spoke to my doctor to verify everything and they still wanted me to get a note from a GI doctor. The nurse from my school actually referred me to one and its been almost two months and the doctor still doesn't want to give me an answer. I told him I really need to know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Are you having GI symptoms? I was past the vomiting stages by then, and just waiting for my immune titer to be high enough to declare me free of disease, I'm not a carrier. If your GI doc isn't coming through for you, go see a different one. (He may not want to put himself on the line as declaring you to be a safe provider).

All my note said was that I could work and had been counseled on safe practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, now that I think of it, it seems like my GI doctor is scared to just write me a note and give me an okay. He said that I am a carrier but my liver is fine. Now I have to do a Biopsy to make him give me an answer. I wish I could just go to another doctor but it might be to late by the time he gives me an answer. It's pretty disappointing knowing that my cousin (who is a Hep B carrier and a nurse) getting through the system smoothly while I'm struggling just to get into school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion