Hepatitis B and the pursuit of a nursing degree.

RossayRN · May 30, 2009

I think you need to talk to your school about it in the nursing dept. I think that as long as you can't spread it to people and it is dormant (inactive), then you should be fine. If you can spread it to people then I don't think you would be able to but they should be able to tell you at the school. . Good luck. Look at this on web MD and do some more searches, also I would talk to my doctor they should know. http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/digestive-diseases-hepatitis-b

Here is a similar question asked on all nurses https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/chronic-hep-b-385822.html

seamel · May 30, 2009

I am pretty sure that there is no reason the school has a right to know about your HBV status. I mean, it's not like it's on the application "Do you have any chronic diseases?" Ya know? I think that as long as you are SAFE about it, and are always mindful of ways that you could pass the disease to someone else (say, if you stuck your self with a needle and still used it on the pt? I don't know if anyone would ever actually do that but yeah). Anyway, I think that it's the law that the school can't discriminate against you for having HBV.

Seannied · May 31, 2009

I am pretty sure that there is no reason the school has a right to know about your HBV status. I mean, it's not like it's on the application "Do you have any chronic diseases?" Ya know? I think that as long as you are SAFE about it, and are always mindful of ways that you could pass the disease to someone else (say, if you stuck your self with a needle and still used it on the pt? I don't know if anyone would ever actually do that but yeah). Anyway, I think that it's the law that the school can't discriminate against you for having HBV.

Although you don't have to state that you have HBV, you do need to take a physical exam to be in a nursing program. Won't they find out anyway if they test your blood? Did you have to take a blood test during your physical exam to get into the program?

smiles04 · May 31, 2009

Do you know how many nurses carry that it's. Don't worry and think that it's so bad or abnormal. You just need to be sx free. Alot of people come up positive just because they made antibodies but never truely got it so don't worry just watch for sx and be up front with the school or job. Smile and just get info info info for the rest of your life just be prepared.

RossayRN · May 31, 2009

I don't think the school will discriminate I do think that they will want to make sure that it in inactive however which will be on the physical exam and titers that you have to do anyway for the nursing program. If it's inactive then there's nothing to worry about.

justiceforjoy · May 31, 2009

Just try not to bleed on your patient and you'll be fine.

want2beanurse2 · May 31, 2009

I just have a question? Does that mean if a person has HIV they are automatically excluded from working in the healthcare field? I work in a hospital and wer'e supposed to protect ourselves from all patients using universal precautions but when there is a known patient that has HIV or Aids we're always "extra careful." Now if I was a patient of course I wouldnt know, nor would I want a nurse assigned to me that is HIV positive (because of my fears about the disease), but at the same time isnt that discriminating? Are you supposed to volunteer this information upon hire?........Just wondering?

nursewannab10 · May 31, 2009

At my school, you can sign a waiver stating that you don't want to participate in the HBV. They make you sign it so the school isn't liable if a student contrats it during clinicals. You should be fine, but I would check with someone at your school to be on the safe side!! Good luck

Seannied · Jun 1, 2009

Thanks for the encouragement guys! I am going to call my local community college and place an appointment with a counselor to talk about entering a nursing program. Anymore information you guys have, I'm all ears.