immunizations - close call for me!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2005

OK.....I am 31 years old and working on my prereqs. I plan to apply to the nursing school in August, hopefully to start January '06.
How many of you actually have your immunization records?
Oh, and how many of you have to have your "mommy" to write a note saying yes in fact you did have the varicella virus when you were a child? My mom got a real kick out of that one when I called to tell her. LOL
I'm not scared of needles, but I really don't want to have to go through the whole immunization process again.

Hello Fun2Care :)

I'm also 31 (but only until March 27th), and don't have my immunization records. I go this Fri for my physical and to recieve ALL the shots :sofahider .

I bet your mom did get a kick out of you calling her, to ask for a note to bring to school! :chuckle :chuckle

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 28, 2005

i'm 31, and every time i start a new job, i have to round up the paperwork. this is always a big deal, as i am so disorganized!!! :chuckle how come you don't have the records? is your pediatrician alive and/or still practicing?? also, don't they do a titer for varicella? i've never had to have my mommy vouch for my chickenpox. if not, would you have to get the varicella vax?

PhoenixGirl · Mar 1, 2005

OK.....I am 31 years old and working on my prereqs. I plan to apply to the nursing school in August, hopefully to start January '06.
How many of you actually have your immunization records?
Oh, and how many of you have to have your "mommy" to write a note saying yes in fact you did have the varicella virus when you were a child? My mom got a real kick out of that one when I called to tell her. LOL
I'm not scared of needles, but I really don't want to have to go through the whole immunization process again.

I don't have my records, but my school needed hard evidence of immunity. Which means either shot records, proof of illness, or titer. I had to get a titer as I had no proof (and they won't accept a note from mom). But the titer was one blood draw and they checked MMR, varicella and hep. I ended up needing the hep shot.

Rebecca

RedSox33RN · Mar 1, 2005

I just had titers drawn. Turns out I wasn't immune to rubella (and this after being tested with all 4 of my pregnancies!), so I had that immunization. Plus I started the Hep B series (of which I finished in November, just had the bloodwork drawn for, and did not convert. Grrrrr......!) and had the required TB test. I had to have the TB test done again, as the clinical site I was assigned to needed students to show proof of a neg TB test w/in 90 days of starting clinicals, and mine was 97 days. So much for trying to get everything done and out of the way! LOL

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2005

What I do is this: I have a box (not a folder, but a wooden box) that I keep all that stuff in. I have my birth cert, my SS card, my passport, my immunization records, an old driver's license in there. That way I always know where it is, because it's not easy to lose like a folder. The tough part is rounding all that stuff up to begin with, but it's made life a lot easier on this clutterbug!

deegale · Mar 1, 2005

I started nursing school when I was 24 and yes my mom had my shot record but they said it was still to long ago and I had to get them all over again

SCmomof3, RN · Mar 1, 2005

I JUST had this conversation with my mom YESTERDAY. I called hoping she had my shot records somewhere. She then called my old pediatrician but since it's been 14 years since I was their patient my records are gone (they shred after 10 yrs). I am bound and determined to find them though.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2005

I called the nursing school, and explained that I was 31 years old. I told them that all I had was a imprinted/stamped copy of my health record from the independent school district I went to. The lady said that was fine. So, I'm not going to get my MMR's again.

As for the note for the varicella, so far that will work. That may change in the future. I'm sure as the years go by, and the varicella vaccine gets older, that rule will change. I know my 13 year old got the shot before it was required by the school district. Now it is required.

So, as for the Nursing school, a note from parent saying that you did have the chicken pox, or 1 shot before the age of 13. If you were over 13 when you got the shot, you have to have 2 shots of varicella. OR.....get a titer test, and send the results from that with your application.

You have to have the 3 shots of Hep B in the correct series. So, even though I have had 2, I have to have the whole series over again because I didn't do the correct sequence of time. OR.....get a titer test.

Come August I will get a T/D and PPD, and my last Hep B along with my physical that has to be w/i 6 months of when I would start the nursing program.

Does anyone have to have Hep A? Someone in my A&P 1 class said she had to have a HEP A shot for one program she is applying for.

Kyriaka · Mar 2, 2005

I also ran into this issue. I was immunized back in 1967. I dont have any records. My school is not requiring proof, just the dates. I am going to go ahead and have a titer done for German Measles.

My pediatrician long since retired, and she probably is no longer living.

Chicken pox I dont need. I have a note from my pediatrician stating that I have had shingles.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2005

I don't have my records, but my school needed hard evidence of immunity. Which means either shot records, proof of illness, or titer. I had to get a titer as I had no proof (and they won't accept a note from mom). But the titer was one blood draw and they checked MMR, varicella and hep. I ended up needing the hep shot.
Rebecca

I may go get a titer just to be on the safe side.

TLC RN · Mar 2, 2005

I just was at the dr today for my physical for school. The nurse said if my pediatritan did not have copies of my immunizations to check with my high school. She said they may have a copy of them in my file...