Immunocompromised Loved One

[lillianbenders]

Hey!

I'm 3yrs into nursing school and also employed in an ICU but I have a semi-unique home situation that I can't find a lot of other people who relate to. My partner and I live together and he has cystic fibrosis. During clinical, I request to not have isolation patients for fear of what I could potentially bring home (especially since we have a lot of flu, pneumonia, TB, infection patients right now). So far none of my instructors have an issue with accommodating this as long as I understand that I am missing out on this potential learning opportunity. However, I still feel kind of shady and bad when I have to have other people accommodate this or when I can't assist with these patients. I know my peers are usually okay with it, but some of them do get annoyed. Most of them do not understand the extent of the consequences that an infection or illness could have if I did happen to bring it home. I come home and wash my scrubs immediately, we have sani-wipes/purple wipes in our apartment, I don't take my shoes into the apartment, etc. He wears a mask in public for the most part, wipes down most public use items, and otherwise does a lot to prevent exposure to bacteria and viruses.

I have done some research and found that healthcare providers typically do bring a lot of things home so I know it is not totally unreasonable. Does anyone else have experience with this themselves or with a coworker? Does it come off as unreasonable and extra/paranoid? Or is it normal for some people to have these restrictions (I know pregnant patients won't handle any potential exposures to harmful situations - stuff like that)?

Any input - even just an opinion - would be greatly appreciated :)

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

You are being unrealistic. My hubby had cancer and during his chemo, which makes you very immunocompromised, I was given no special considerations. I just changed in the bathroom and took it straight to the washer when I got home. I made sure that I took every precaution while I was at work.

I have a friend who's daughter has CF, the daughter is 20 or 21 and wasn't expected to live past 7. Mom has always followed universal precautions, never been able to refuse any patient for whatever status, she knew it was part of the job. She has always kept her protected when there are health issues in the community (flu, other viruses, etc), by immunizations for the family and common sense ideas such as hand hygiene, and looking to the doctor (specialist) when necessary. As others have said, you really have more risk being out at the grocery than working with an isolation patient where you know the invading entity and have protective gear.

Refusing any assignment can cost you your job, once you graduate and pass licensure

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, Hoosier_RN said:

You are being unrealistic. My hubby had cancer and during his chemo, which makes you very immunocompromised, I was given no special considerations. I just changed in the bathroom and took it straight to the washer when I got home. I made sure that I took every precaution while I was at work.

I have a friend who's daughter has CF, the daughter is 20 or 21 and wasn't expected to live past 7. Mom has always followed universal precautions, never been able to refuse any patient for whatever status, she knew it was part of the job. She has always kept her protected when there are health issues in the community (flu, other viruses, etc), by immunizations for the family and common sense ideas such as hand hygiene, and looking to the doctor (specialist) when necessary. As others have said, you really have more risk being out at the grocery than working with an isolation patient where you know the invading entity and have protective gear.

Refusing any assignment can cost you your job, once you graduate and pass licensure

I agree with this completely. I'm surprised your fellow students aren't more irked by your unnecessary accommodations, and even more surprised that your instructors have accommodated them.

This will not be the case at all when you get to bedside nursing. There will likely be no accommodations for you at all regardless of the diagnosis. That being said, it is ok - as others have said, you have more of a chance being exposed to all these germs out in the real world. In the hospital, you just need to practice your standard and isolation precautions with PPE, and continue to do what you've been doing in regards to taking off your clothing and shoes, etc.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

I think the most reasonable thing to do at this stage is to attend an appointment with your SO's physician to get his/her recommendations on how to protect your SO.

You may be going overboard & causing needless stress on yourself, instructors, coworkers etc.

[NFuser]

I worked inpatient oncology nearly the entire 12 years my hub had CLL, and he was immuno-compromised the entire time. Medical oncology is filled with the stuff you see only rarely in any other setting....all the abx resistant stuff, and oddball infections we don't know how to treat. Other than the precautions mentioned by previous posters, I did nothing....so far as requesting assignments was concerned. My better half passed of complications of his disease in an expected manner, and the only infections he suffered in that time were either treatment-related, or those he brought on himself (cellulitis, community-acquired pneumonia, etc.)

It's difficult to accept that, although you know HOW to protect them, you truly can NOT protect them from everything. So relax a bit, and be the best nurse you can possibly be. In the setting your talents suit you best ❤️

[kp2016]

I understand your concern but honestly don't think it's valid. I've been a nurse for more than 20 years. First 16+ in acute inpatient units the last 4 in a ambulatory community setting. The first 6 months in my community job I got sick more often than in the previous 16 years combined!!

My patients are never contagious. The constant flu and influenza were courtesy of the vast numbers of (obviously) ill family members / general public I was in close proximity to for extended periods with no control over their complete lack of attention to basic hygiene.

I personally think you would be safer in an isolation room or any ICU room really were you can strictly control your own universal precautions and limit contact with family / laypeople who are coughing, sneezing and wiping their germ landed hands over every surface you may come into contact with, than you are in public.

Hope things go well for you and your partner.