Hepatitis B series problem (student)

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I was accepted into an ADN program beginning this August. Got my acceptance letter in May. They accepted me knowing that I hadn't even started the hep B series yet. I've had my first two and now the school wants me to have the third one by Oct. 8 or I could be thrown out. I believe I had my previous one on July 8. My PCP's office doesn't want me to have the third one until December and are refusing to let me just have it, saying that it will not protect me even if they did let me have it now. Okay...so what am I supposed to do? Clinicals start later this month! I'm supposed to talk to the dept head but I doubt they're going to budge. Has anyone else ever experienced this? :crying2::sniff:

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I would get a doctor's statment from your PCP and take that to the Dean when you go to talk to them. Hope it goes in your favor.

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Specializes in Adult Oncology.

Or you could have titers drawn and see if you have already developed immunity.

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We were told that if we hadn't completed the series of shots, or chose not to get them, we had to sign a waiver saying so. I only had 2 shots done when the paperwork was due, so I signed the waiver. Since then I've gotten my 3rd shot and am good to go.

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Specializes in Orientation hahahaha.

Huh.. Hep B immunization has always been an option for us. We don't have to take it. But, it is strongly advised...

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I think it is pretty discriminatory to make students with hepattis not go to clinicals/ work in hospital settings. There are pateints who got far more severe illnesses that they have to work with. Althought hepatitis b is contagious via blood and sexual contact, healthcare universal precaution should easily prevent the transmission. My 2 cents.

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They are being very hard line about it after I talked to them today. I can't believe this is happening. They won't budge and insist that it isn't harmful to get it before the 6 months and that it is effective. Will not take a waiver or any kind of excuse. My PCP is taking a hard line on not letting me have it. I've been calling around to different clinics all morning and either haven't been able to get an appointment or been told no, not before 6 months. The school even told me that I should have gotten the series before I was accepted. Well, why did they accept me if I didn't have it? If I'd known it would be like this I would certainly have gotten the series sooner, although that would have probably required an extra doctor appt for me to self-pay for and I didn't even think I'd get in on the first try. I just can't believe this. I can't make the school give me a break and can't make a doctor do what he/she doesn't want to do.

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Specializes in LTC.

Ask your physician to draw titers. Some people are immune to hep b before the third shot.

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Specializes in intensive care major medical centers.

you don't have to take the series and no one can make you.(talk to the school about people that don't convert) most employers make you sign a waiver . But this is school so it different and could jeopardize you career that call is up to you!!!! I have taken the series 4 times and never converted so I don't take them anymore and just sign the waiver

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Specializes in L&D, Maternal Fetal Medicine, LTC.

I agree with alot of the above. Before going to LPN school I had only had 2 of the Hep B series. I then found out I was pregnant, and refused anymore immunizations for the duration of the pregnancy. All I had to do was sign a waiver form stating I understood the risks. They dont even offer you that option? I feel as if us nurses, whether it be licensed or students, have no rights anymore and its just "My way or the highway" type of thing. Hmm...I also had titers drawn to show immunity after the entire series was completed to confirm. Good luck with whatever happens.

Felicia

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No waiver option. I'm going to keep trying but I'm kind of scared. I'm getting squeezed between the school and the doctors! One doctor suggested I go back to my doctor and get referred to the infectious disease dept. Okay, yeah, that's expensive and will probably take more time than I have, since I have to get this done by Wednesday. Doesn't seem like I should have to see a specialist for this, it's a hepatitis shot. You'd think I was trying to get them to give me Oxycontin or something the way they act! It's my understanding that it wouldn't be harmful to get the shot "early" (other than the complications any vaccination could always have) so I can't understand why they act like I'm a hot potato they can't wait to unload.

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