Hep B student

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2004

No you are not, and you are not required to disclose this fact to anyone.

Persue your dreams. Good luck.

ZENlTH · Feb 7, 2004

Whew! What a relief! Thanks for your response. :) I was worried there for a bit.

I must confess, though, that does leave me with another question. I understand that I am ¡not required to disclose this fact to anyone¡¨. But, nursing schools have stated: ¡Once admitted to the Nursing Program, you must provide Hepatitis Immunity Verification¡¨ (amongst other things). How do I respond to this?

If I can not provide this particular verification, wouldn¡¦t they just automatically deny my admission in to their programs? I mean, when they ask for my hepatitis immunity verification, do I simply respond, ¡I decline to provide that information¡¨? :imbar

Sorry, I just need some help to understand the situation better.

Thanks again for your help!

Krysten · Feb 7, 2004

When I was accepted to my nursing program we had to do the same thing. The Hep was optional, if we had the Hep shot series than we had to show immunity. It was not a requirment to have the Hep shot series. In any case the school should not toss you out for having Hep. If you have any questions call the Nursing Director of your school and ask.

ZENlTH · Feb 7, 2004

Thanks! I'll call the Nursing Director of my school and ask if the Hep shot series is optional. That would clear that up.

You-all are the best!

zacarias, ASN, RN · Feb 8, 2004

Hey,

If you have Hep B, then you have antibodies to the Hep B antigen. When the lab checks people who have been vaccinated, they also are checking for antibodies to Hep antigen.

Depending on how it's worded on the lab form, it may or may not disclose your hep B status. I don't know how it works exactly but there should be a way for you not to have to actively disclose that info.

Dixen81 · Feb 8, 2004

At my school, the Hep B shot is optional; you either get the vaccination or sign a waiver.

Good luck!

ZENlTH · Feb 8, 2004

Thanks again ya¡¦ll! I¡¦ll take all that into consideration. :)

1) If you presently have Hepatitis B, it would NOT be a good idea to undertake something as strenuous as nursing school, as your body probably needs all the rest and energy it can get to conquer the disease.

2) If, on the other hand, you meant to say that you have a history of having had Hep B, then this is no problem. Instead of getting the Hep B series of vaccinations, have a titer drawn which will show whether you are already immune to the disease. Keep a copy of this report, as you will need it for future jobs as well.

Unfortunately, Hepatitis B is something I currently have , although on a small scale ¡Vor so I¡¦m told. I¡¦m still learning about the virus and all it entails, and what can be done to ¡conquer¡¨ it.

In regards to nursing school and rest, well... from my observation, people seem to carry the darnedest loads while trudging through nursing school. If rest is the only way out, I¡¦ll even consider stretching my training a couple of years, if that¡¦s reasonable. :chair:

ZENlTH · Feb 27, 2004

Well, I did as you-all told me and contacted the Nursing School about the issue. I just got the response. Although it took a while, the response was such a relief that I thought I'd share it will all of you:

I am responding to your email regarding the SJSU School of Nursing.
All students in the School of Nursing have to show documentation of
immunity to HepB. They can do this by completing an immunization series
or by showing a blood titer with Hep B antibodies. A student who has
had Hep B should have antibodies - if they do not then they must have the
immunization series. If a student is a carrier they must use universal
precautions - just as all students must do. There is no differentiation in universal precautions between students who are carriers and
students who are not. All students must document the required immunizations and/or immunities. If a student refuses the immunizations, they are disqualified. To the best of my knowledge no student has been
disqualified for being a Hep B carrier.
Rosemary Mann, Undergraduate Coordinator

Their response was so reassuring, and you all have been so helpful in answering my query. It makes me all the more happy and proud to hopefully, someday join the ranks of such professionals!

roadie · Feb 27, 2004

I have Hep B. I got it when I was 17 from a guy who turned out to have given it to ALOT of girls. :angryfire He was a jerk. He is also dead now because of the disease. I am 38 and as far as the doctor can tell my liver is good and I have no serious symptoms. I am tired sometimes and scared most of the time. My school also said they didnt have a problem with me starting school. I am planning to start the fall quarter in Nursing School. I think it will be hard on everyone to keep up with our work and clinicals. I am just going to eat right and exercise. I believe I will be able to handle it. Good Luck on your schooling... :)

ZENlTH · Feb 29, 2004

I, too, get tired sometimes :zzzzz, but otherwise everything's fine.

There does seem to be a lot of emphasis on the difficulties of the training and the actual Nursing career, itself. With this in perspective, I have decided to do the "online" RN program -despite the controversy- and go at my own pace :cool: . Then, career-wise, I figure if I can cruise by being a Home Health RN, it might be a bit more practical for my condition and those I work for. I'm really looking forward to being an RN, and if possible, I would like to be in an environment that works for me and others as well.

Thanks again, and good luck to you too!

mrs.tlc · Feb 29, 2004

provided you have graduated from your school and would soon work......things are different out there when you apply in the hospitals and nursing homes. they do check hep b and this could be a reason to disqualify you for the nursing job you are aspiring.

we might as well ask the opinions of other nurses who were able to be employed even though they have this virus.

i am calling the attention of those affected to share their experiences.

what happens then to those immigrating from other countries like the philippines who has it?

will they pass the immigration tests and be given green card also?

mrs. tlc