Do you need to get vaccinated to become a nurse?

suzanne4, RN · Feb 1, 2004

Vaccinated against what? You need to be more specific.

Yes, you need to have your routine shots up to date. Most nurses have a Hepatitis B series. Depending on where you will be working and your patient population, you may want to keep up typhoid and cholera.

LoriG · Feb 1, 2004

I don't know --I just know it's been over 10 years since I had any boosters.

I got really sick last time I was vaccinated, and I have many symptoms of epstein-barr. But I've never been tested.

Anyway, I worry about my health if I have to get more vaccines

LoriG · Feb 1, 2004

Oops, I didn't mean to put an angry face there! LOL

MiaLyse, APRN · Feb 1, 2004

Anyway, I worry about my health if I have to get more vaccines >>

Have titers pulled to see what you are immune to. hth's

Kelly

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2004

Only if they are smart.

You do need to be immune to some diseases.

Why would one not want to be vaccinated, given the amount of crap that we come into contact with?

zenman · Feb 2, 2004

You might also want to be vaccinated against rabid nurses. God, I'm so good!

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 2, 2004

I think a person would be foolish NOT to, given our risks.

JMO

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 2, 2004

If you think you may have Epstein-Barre, you should be tested.

If you have it, you should take special care of yourself.

To be a decent nurse, you must first take care of yourself--in part to be a good role model to your patients and your fellow nurses. Also, if you are not immune, and you are exposed, you are harboring the pathogen and passing it along. That's so irresponsible and unethical as to be downright immoral. Especially if you know better (which you do or will, as a nurse).

Prevention, when it is possible (and that may mean not getting exposed if you cannot handle the vaccinations) is a no-brainer. You gotta do it.

Like somebody up there said, "only if you are smart."

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2004

We are strongly encourged to get vaccinated for Hepatitis and it's free, so why not?

But no one can make you get vaccinated if you choose not to. Good luck!

lpn2bdec2004 · Feb 2, 2004

Originally posted by caroladybelle

Why would one not want to be vaccinated, given the amount of crap that we come into contact with?

Literally!!:chuckle

LoriG · Feb 2, 2004

Thanks for the replies, guys LOL

I was just wondering if it was a requirement, or optional. I am only leery of getting shots because of my past reactions to them, and one of my kids also reacted to his shots.

I was just asking, is all :)