Do you get sick alot working as a nurse?

allnurses Guide · Jan 23, 2015

When I first start a new job it seems like I catch a bug, usually a typical coughy sneezy virus that works itself out in 10-14 days, and that's that. I rarely get sick and kids are out the nest so they don't bring home the nasties from school.....

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 23, 2015

Nope. I have a super-ninja immune system.

Now, my spine is another story. I have DDD and take 3g of ibuprofen every day. Of course, I have a super ninja GI tract as well, so that's never bothered me.

RunBabyRN · Jan 23, 2015

I am rarely sick, but I also take good care of myself. With my home infusion job, many of my patients are immune-compromised, so I have to be especially cautious- a challenge with a first grader at home!

I think that the risk also depends on the kind of nursing you do. I have worked in home infusions, at a freestanding birth center, and doing health fairs, and I just accepted a urology position. All of these are pretty low-risk, when it comes to catching bugs.

wanderlust99 · Jan 23, 2015

more mental sick days since becoming a nurse.

Dream Catcher · Jan 23, 2015

I am rarely sick as a RN. I was never sick as a nursing student. Years back, when I was a CNA, I got deathly sick all the time. However, I was new to healthcare back then. I think working in healthcare has built my immunity greatly.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jan 23, 2015

It's funny, as a mom and as a CNA, and in nursing school (24 hrs per week in SNFs) I never really got sick.

Now, as a working nurse of almost a year, I've had more URI/flu like illnesses this year than ever before.

My pt population is long term, but many staff have been out sick as well

As many Pts have been sick. I can't see how LTC Pts can bring in so many illnesses, then again, they live in close quarters.

I've had 3 URIs in the last 4 months or so. I attribute it to stress causing my immune system to not work as well.

softrbreeze · Jan 23, 2015

I rarely get sick since taking meat and dairy out of my diet 3 years ago. Prior to my vegan days, I would get 1- 2 sinus infections and usually 2 or more stomach bugs per year. My diet change (and several colon hydrotherapies) also cured me of IBS which had me running to the bathroom with diarrhea several times per day for several years. My immune system has never been better!

Glycerine82, LPN · Jan 23, 2015

I got sick a lot when I first started working at the hospital, but after awhile I did seem to build up an immunity. Either that, or I just got used to it. ;-)

Wrench Party · Jan 24, 2015

My vote is it's increased my immune response. I rarely got sick before, now I don't even get struck down by the occasional cold.

Food poisoning will get me about once a year, though.

canigraduate · Jan 24, 2015

You shouldn't get sick from work if you're following standard precautions. If you do, you need to check your practice.

I only catch what my family members have. Usually I just get what my husband has, since I have a hard time keeping my hands to myself with him. I treat my other family like patients and wash my hands after contact with them.

When I first started nursing, I was so stressed that my immune system was depressed and I caught EVERYTHING that was going around in my family! Now, I get sick maybe once a year.

You should probably review the transmission cycle if you're worried about getting sick and take steps to keep from contaminating yourself.

Lorilo · Aug 10, 2018

I have more GI issues,nausea and vomiting,e.g.

klone, MSN, RN · Aug 10, 2018

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