Getting Into Nursing School with Hep. C?

[tweety bird]

Hello,

I asked this question on another forum, but no one answered. I found out about 5 years ago that I had Hep. C. I'm not sure exactly how I got it, or exactly when I got it. I want to get into either the RN or LPN class at our CC. Does anyone know if that will prevent me from getting accepted, and/or prevent me from getting licensed?? I'm verry concerned about this, as I have dreamed of becoming a "real" nurse ever since I was hired and trained to be a (non-licensed) medical assistant at a doctors office. I absolutely loved working there, and knew from that point on that that's what I wanted to do with my life.

Thanks for any advice on this matter.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

As long as you are physically capable of performing the job, you should not have any problem persuing your dreams. Hep C is not communicable by physical contact or through the air.

I was told I had Hep B by a blood test when I was trying to a CNA at the VA during nursing school, and they still hired me. I was asymptomatic at the time. I tested again negative this past year, which is weird. But for 15 years I thought I was a Hep B carrier and it never stopped me from trying for any nursing job. Most of the time I kept my Hep B status to myself. It was my personal health business and my employer didn't need to know.

If you're really worried call the school anonymously and check with your board of nursing.

Good luck.

[tweety bird]

Thanks. Well I went ahead and called my states BON. I just came right out and asked them and they told me that having Hep C was not enough to prevent someone from getting licensed. Whew!! What a relief!!

Thanks again for your help.