Immunocompromised

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have just tested negative for varicella antibody titers (IgM)

i am am unable to get the vaccine as I am on immunosuppresing medications( imuran and remicade) for ulcerative colitis.

It is not an option for me to stop those medications as this time. Are hospitals able to refuse hiring me because of my lack of immunity.

The only reason I even tested was because I was applying to work as a volunteer in a hospital and they needed me to prove immunity (I do have a documented episode of chicken pox)

thanks and sorry for the lengthy post.

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Specializes in progressive care. med surg. tele. LTC. psych..

Oh my goodness, I had the same question. I'm nervous about Nursing School having an issue with me being on Prednisone as it suppresses my immune system too.

Can a lawyer help in this situation? lol

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Were you allowed to work as a volunteer?

You should try contacting some hospital HR departments in your state and ask them this very same question. Get it directly from the horses mouth.

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Oh my goodness, I had the same question. I'm nervous about Nursing School having an issue with me being on Prednisone as it suppresses my immune system too.

Can a lawyer help in this situation? lol

How is your school/employer going to know what meds you're taking?

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They do not know what meds I'm on but they will tell me I need to get vaccinated to work there and I cannot do so.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Are they unwilling to accept a note of medical reason for not getting the vaccine? My facility requires annual flu vaccines, but will accept a note from a health care provider stating that the vaccine is medically contraindicated. Have you asked about the policy for that?

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

For a volunteer role they may not make exceptions like informed consent and corroborating physician statement not safe to vaccinate.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Well, if you need to be on hard immunosuppression, then you probably must postpone your volunteering and nursing school till your health improves.

Sorry if it is sounds harsh but you endanger your own life and lives of others. No school and no employer will be happy to deal with mess that might happen if you had a few close funny minutes with a cute toddler with a sneezy nose and a little cough who in reality would be in prodrome of chicken pox, measles or pertussis. Such encounter very well might end badly for you and for others, and nobody wants to bear tremendous costs of potential care and unevitable litigations which will sure follow, however small the possibility might seem.

Sorry again, but there is very little to no possibility for you to convincing your school and all the agencies you will have to pass through during this time that you are fit for the duty. It may be a bit easier with volunteering, but where I work, volunteers and "pastoral care assistants" are required flu shot or mask at all times. I wish you to get better soon!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

This is not a question we can answer - immunizations are a decision to be made between a patient and provider. Best wishes.

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