Catching something from patients?

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Hey guys, first of all I want to thank all of you guys for your service to the community as nurses and future nurses. I'm sure you guys are not always appreciated, and i commend you guys in being a person that cares when it is not returned.

I am currently working on my ADN and my biggest fear in nursing is catching a very serious illness or chronic disease that i cant come back from. I've read that people build strong immunity to the hospital environment, but i feel like it is trivial if you catch something that your body cannot fight. I plan in working in a hospital, and i am determine for nursing to be my job.

So i wondering what are my chances or probability of catching something my body can't really fight and any advice.

-Thank you

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

If you follow proper hand washing and PPE protocols, the likelihood is infinitesimally small. If you are up to date on vaccinations, your likelihood of contracting vaccine-preventable illnesses (including flu) are lowered as well.

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Specializes in ICU.

You are more likely to catch something from a shopping cart.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

More susceptible in the public especially cramped areas such as public transportation. What chronic illness do you think you might catch?

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Specializes in Emergency.

The thing you're most likely to catch is chronic back pain. Don't take chances with it, always use proper m+h techniques.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

OP, you'll probably catch things from persons before they become patients (if you haven't already done so), and won't realize it until your next thorough physical...depending on what testing you decide to have done.

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Maybe you are with a patient with bad diarrhea and you contract something like hep.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

If you follow basic precautions you should be fine. Like others have said, you are more at risk out in public.

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Specializes in ICU.
Maybe you are with a patient with bad diarrhea and you contract something like hep.

I suggest you take a microbiology class to see how things are transmitted. Second, do you not think we wear protective gear and wash up constantly? Proper hand hygiene is a requirement to being a nurse.

If you are having theses intense fears before starting nursing school l, I would speak to a counselor to deal with these fears.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

If I had a fear of catching something, as others have said I would be more afraid of catching something out in the general public while grocery shopping, at a mall, etc where I don't have any clue what the people around me have versus in a hospital environment where I often have an idea of what they have plus even if I don't I use standard precautions on everyone, PPE appropriately, and of course hand washing to decrease any risks.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I've caught more things from fellow staff who won't call in sick. :mad:

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Maybe you are with a patient with bad diarrhea and you contract something like hep.

Get vaccinated for Hep A and Hep B. In school you will learn how to use PPE and universal precautions. You will put these measures into practice faithfully.

You will also eat your vegetables, make sure you get exercise and rest to maintain a healthy immune system. If you have a Doritos and weekend binge-drinking lifestyle, this is the time to dump them because they will no longer serve you.

Nursing school does make us afraid of things. That's a good thing. To a point.

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