long beach city college

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hi folks,

i have been accepted for spring 09 at lbcc. im in the process of filling out my health evaluation form (yellow form). my immunization record card dating back to 87, shows that i had been vaccinated for hep B, MMR, and polio. i also contracted chicken pox @ 6 yrs old.

can anybody tell me if i need a TITER test for varicella, hepatitis B, MMR, and polio? is required along with the health evaluation form?

the reason i ask is because my buddy went through the same process last semester only to find out from his instructor on the first day of class that he was required to get a titer test to prove he was still immune. he only needed a booster for mumps.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma ICU.

You'll at least need a titer for varicella because the fact that you had them once doesn't necessarily mean you're immune (I don't think many places go only on proof that you have had chicken pox). I'm not sure about the others, I'd email the program.

You have lots of time, don't stress about it. :)

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If you have insurance that will cover the costs of the Titers - do them all. It's better to have proof then not.

If you don't have insurance that will cover the titer, the cost of the shots may be cheaper than the titers. Check with your doctor/clinic and see what the difference would be as far as costs.

You may want to consider doing the shots all over if it's cheaper - just a thought, but I know many people chose this route instead of paying big bucks for the titers.

BTW, you may want to get the flu shot as well. LBCC is requiring this for the Fall students this year - though you do have the choice to sign a declination form.

Hope that helps - good luck in the program!

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You'll at least need a titer for varicella because the fact that you had them once doesn't necessarily mean you're immune (I don't think many places go only on proof that you have had chicken pox). I'm not sure about the others, I'd email the program.

You have lots of time, don't stress about it. :)

you read my mind. seems like the nursing department there cant provide me with the answers im looking for. I had to email the instructor.

you're right about the titer for varicella. now the question is can i skip the titer and get the vaccine? it would be cheaper.

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If you have insurance that will cover the costs of the Titers - do them all. It's better to have proof then not.

If you don't have insurance that will cover the titer, the cost of the shots may be cheaper than the titers. Check with your doctor/clinic and see what the difference would be as far as costs.

You may want to consider doing the shots all over if it's cheaper - just a thought, but I know many people chose this route instead of paying big bucks for the titers.

BTW, you may want to get the flu shot as well. LBCC is requiring this for the Fall students this year - though you do have the choice to sign a declination form.

Hope that helps - good luck in the program!

sadly, like most Americans im not insured. everything would have to be paid out of my own pocket.

is it safe to get the shots done without a titer? i know some people get the titer first, then booster shots if they are low on immunity.

ill most likely go with the shots.

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BlueKush have you tried getting your titer done through your Student Health Center/clinic at LBC? Most community colleges/universities have one. Maybe you can call them and ask what it would cost or speak to the RN about your titer/immunizations situation.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma ICU.

Okay, this is my advice if you have the time and are willing to make the commitment. If you volunteer at a hospital, they will to a titer for varicella and do a TB test and all that good stuff. It is part of employee health requirements. Some hospitals may want you to make a commitment of at least a couple months (possibly a year) but this way you won't have to pay for it and would only have to donate a couple hours of your time a week while you are waiting to begin nursing school.

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BlueKush have you tried getting your titer done through your Student Health Center/clinic at LBC? Most community colleges/universities have one. Maybe you can call them and ask what it would cost or speak to the RN about your titer/immunizations situation.

ive contacted them regarding this matter, lbcc doesn't offer titer test. they only do flu, mmr, and hep.

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Okay, this is my advice if you have the time and are willing to make the commitment. If you volunteer at a hospital, they will to a titer for varicella and do a TB test and all that good stuff. It is part of employee health requirements. Some hospitals may want you to make a commitment of at least a couple months (possibly a year) but this way you won't have to pay for it and would only have to donate a couple hours of your time a week while you are waiting to begin nursing school.

once i start nursing school (2009), clinical will be enough hospital work for me. i dont think ill have time for any volunteer work. money is not the issue, if i can do one or the other (titer vs shots), id rather go with the cheaper solution. thanks for the advice though.

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It should be safe to get the shots without the titer. I'm currently in the program (just started the 2nd half of the 1st semester) and know that many of my fellow students went for the shots instead of paying for the titers.

Good luck and be ready to study hard! :typing

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It should be safe to get the shots without the titer. I'm currently in the program (just started the 2nd half of the 1st semester) and know that many of my fellow students went for the shots instead of paying for the titers.

Good luck and be ready to study hard! :typing

are you a student at lbcc? looks like you have another year ( or 2 semester) left after this semester. on a scale of 1-10 ( ten being the hardest) what would you rate it? note im not very book smart, but a great hands on person.

your lucky you didn't have to take the teas test. they just started doing it this semester, how unfortunate for me. im terrified even though i need a 67%

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Yes, I'm a student at LBCC and actually have 3 more semesters. I did take the Teas, though they said it wouldn't count. The Teas is basic knowledge - don't stress over it too badly.

As far as a rating scale - I don't have anything to compare it with. I only hear that it gets harder and harder each semester. I think it also depends on who you get for your clinical instructor - some are better than others, but some are TOUGH!!!

They break up the semesters into two 9 week sessions - so technically, it's like completing 18 weeks worth of material in 9 weeks - does that give you any idea?

After the 1st 9 weeks, it FELT like I had been in school for 18 weeks (or longer...) You have to pass the first 9 weeks before you can take the 2nd 9 weeks - they build on each other.

Just be ready to hit the ground running.

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