I'm a junior in high school and I want to be a nurse....but I've never been vaccinated. What can I do?

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BEFORE YOU RESPOND: I don't need your negative comments. I asked a question, I'm asking for answers. I've looked for answers but came here as a last-ditch effort. I'm willing to get the mandatory vaccinations in order to go to nursing school and do clinicals etc. Google hasn't been awfully helpful.. if you know anything, I'd love your input. Thank you!

Specializes in CPN.
9 minutes ago, BiscuitRN said:

To add to the above, I went to nursing school with a girl who was not vaccinated until she was 18. She started vaccines freshman year and was up-to-date by junior year when we began clinicals. You should be just fine as long as you follow the Catch Up immunization guidelines.

To emphasize this point - it takes time to catch up on vaccines, so don't expect to get them done in just a month or two. It takes 6 months to complete the full round of Hep B, for instance.

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Specializes in ICU.

I saw some answers from people that look like they went to BSN programs, so I'll weigh in from someone who did an ADN program. You have time! Even if you can't start until you're 18, you will be taking at least 3 or 4 semesters of general ed and prerequisites before you can enter an Associates of Nursing program anyway where you will likely be doing clinicals during your first semester of the program. That gives you time for the catch-up schedule. That is if whichever community college you go to allows general students to take classes unvaccinated.

One more point - do you still see a pediatrician? Or family doctor? You can always have a conversation with them and ask him or her to speak with your parents about this to advocate for you starting your vaccines early to prepare for college. Most doctors would be happy to do so and get you started.

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I actually loved the opening line ... as a RN/someone who has been in the medical field for a while now. She was obviously stating that she doesn't need your judgement/opinion on anti-vaxers ... which was obviously not her decision as she is trying to make an informed decision. So get off your high horse.

Keep tweaking that attitude, babygirl! You need thick skin to deal with a field littered with self-important jerks.

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3 hours ago, 0.9%NormalSarah said:

One more point - do you still see a pediatrician? Or family doctor? You can always have a conversation with them and ask him or her to speak with your parents about this to advocate for you starting your vaccines early to prepare for college. Most doctors would be happy to do so and get you started.

It also depends on her state, at her age, she is allowed to consent to be vaccinated in some of them, and can just schedule an appointment with her doctor and get it planned out.

Also, if she can't, the reason she wasn't vaccinated matters. If her parents just couldn't afford it, or came from another country that didn't have them available, they'll probably be willing to bring her to the doctor to start on them now. But if they're against vaccines because of whatever the reason of the month to be against them was at the time, it's probably going to take just waiting until she's 18 and can legally make the choice for herself.

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Colleges have health centers that are typically staffed by an RN or Nurse Practitioner. These offices can get you the vaccinations, or at least give you information about where/how to get vaccinations. If you are not established with a doctor, or feel uncomfortable going to your personal doctor, the college health center might be a great resource for you after you are enrolled in college.

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Specializes in ICU.
1 hour ago, tonyl1234 said:

It also depends on her state, at her age, she is allowed to consent to be vaccinated in some of them, and can just schedule an appointment with her doctor and get it planned out.

Also, if she can't, the reason she wasn't vaccinated matters. If her parents just couldn't afford it, or came from another country that didn't have them available, they'll probably be willing to bring her to the doctor to start on them now. But if they're against vaccines because of whatever the reason of the month to be against them was at the time, it's probably going to take just waiting until she's 18 and can legally make the choice for herself.

Right I have read that in some states "mature minors" can consent, so I guess that would depend. I suppose all of the advice here is going to depend on why she is not yet vaccinated, very good point!

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It's the internet, you WILL receive opinions that may not please you. You can filter those out.

Reconsider you career goals. If you are that sensitive to criticism/ negative feedback you will have a tough time in nursing.

You need to speak with your doctor. If your parents did not vaccinate you, perhaps you have to be of legal age to consent to vaccination.

Best wishes, we ALL need more nurses.

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In case it's useful to you, here is some background info on the legal aspect of your question. Good luck.

https://vaxopedia.org/2018/09/25/how-can-i-get-vaccinated-if-my-parents-are-anti-vaccine/

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
On 1/26/2019 at 9:39 PM, nursej22 said:

Healthcare workers are recommended to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B (series of 3 shots), tetorifice (3 shots if you've never had any), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) 2 doses, and chicken pox, 2 doses. Some schools and clinical sites may also require an annual flu shot.

I would also add that I've seen any number of people coming in and out of countries where polio is still endemic. Polio vaccine as recommended can't hurt because there's very little chance you've already had polio.

The federal Vaccines for Children program will cover the cost of vaccines for those 18 and under. So when you're 18 and legally able to consent, you can start. Public health or some private docs have VFC available. There may be a small administration fee for the shots. Best of luck.

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Specializes in ONC, Gyn ONC, BMT, Hospice.

Luckily you'll have plenty of time to work on your tolerance for negativity, since you sure will see lots of that as a nurse. ?

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.
11 hours ago, ruby_jane said:

I would also add that I've seen any number of people coming in and out of countries where polio is still endemic. Polio vaccine as recommended can't hurt because there's very little chance you've already had polio.

The federal Vaccines for Children program will cover the cost of vaccines for those 18 and under. So when you're 18 and legally able to consent, you can start. Public health or some private docs have VFC available. There may be a small administration fee for the shots. Best of luck.

Polio vaccine is not routinely recommended for US residents age 18 and older.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

And I believe that polio is present in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
14 hours ago, nursej22 said:

Polio vaccine is not routinely recommended for US residents age 18 and older.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

And I believe that polio is present in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

You are right...it's not. I worked in a public school with a large percentage of refugees, often from those areas. Prek-5, and staff are wiping up after the kiddos. I think I'd hedge my bets.

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