I didn't seroconvert with the Hep B Vaccine

Nurses New Nurse

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I'd eventually like to work in a field with a lot of potential bodily fluid exposure, and I did read that after another series with the Hep B vaccine there is a 30-50% chance of converting... however, if that doesn't happen should I reconsider my dream career and look for something with less fluid exposure?

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I've been in nursing for over a year now (counting nursing school clinical) and have only had 1 hep B patient. It's not a very common illness. Hep C is the one you should be scared of, and there's no vaccine for that.

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I had the series of hep b in 2012 before starting nursing school. I had a titer drawn in December 2014 for a job that showed I was not immune. One additional booster shot worked for me.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Hep B is very rare nowadays. I work in OB and am up close and personal with all sorts of body fluids. I'm immune, but I wouldn't change my field if i didn't seroconvert. I'd probably ask another coworker to cover a known hep B positive patient if staffing permitted, but i wouldn't have a problem caring for them if necessary.

Try another series, but don't give up on your passion!

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Specializes in medsurg, progressive care.

I wouldn't, and didn't. I didn't develop immunity to hep B, varicella, or measles after several rounds of vaccinations / boosters, as well as having the actual chicken pox a couple times. I sometimes take extra precautions that my coworkers don't and sometimes they will offer to switch patients with me, but for the most part it barely crosses my mind.

This is how I think of it: I would have no problem taking care of a patient with active TB, which the United States does not vaccinate against. There are precautions to take that can help keep you healthy. Use them.

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