My question is, can I still be a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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I want to be a nurse. im already taking the pre-educational courses at school. Ive had a test for taburculosis about four years ago (long story) and it came out positive. My mom said that she was in contact with it before when she was a nurse. She says that its in our "genes" and that we carry taburculosis but we dont show symtoms. My question is, can I still be a nurse? i dont want to go through all the hard work and get denied just because my TB test is positive. I dont show any symtoms at all.

Also, I want to work as a CNA while going to school to take the RN test. If I get my CNA certification in Nevada, will I have to retake the test or any courses (for CNA) when I move to another state (Washington)?

Im taking the prerequisites here in Nevada and then tranfering to another school in Washington state by the start of Fall semester 2010, Ill probably finish the prerequisites at the other school too.

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

I've never heard anything regarding TB "passed in genes", but if you do get a positive PPD (the skin test), then the next step would be a chest x-ray. Once that shows you are indeed negative, you can procede.

As far as your schooling, the best people to talk to about that are the nursing boards of both Nevada and Washington (or whoever manages CNAs) as well as the folks at the schools you want to attend. They will have the best answer.

P.S. I hate to be picky, but it's tuberculosis

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

Lots of nurses have + TB skin tests. I tested positive in the late 70's and was given a round of drugs that I had to take for a year. I still test positive if I have to take the skin test so instead I get chest x-rays. and tuberculosis in not in your "Genes" It is a disease of the lungs that is contagious. You can however be a carrier of the disease and not suffer from the active symptoms Just get a chest xray and have your doctor read it so they can tell you if the the disease is active. You may have to take meds for it though.

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if you ever really take the nursing route for a career, don't let it stop you. what you need to do is go to your doc and get a ppd mantoux test done. if it is positive, the next step will be a chest xray as what the above poster posted. i've know people who have always been positive. b/c of being positive they skip the ppd mantoux and go straight for the xray. remember just because your positive doesn't mean you have tb or that you are a carrier. you may just been exposed and your body has developed antibodies thus reacting the mantoux antigen. a quick reference:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tuberculin-skin-tests

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Did your mom and/or you live in a country that gave TB vaccine (BCG)? If you got it, that can cause a positive test, too.

My TB is always "borderline" and I have had to get a chest x-ray to rule it out.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Critical Care-Neuro/Trauma ICU.

I have a friend that is a pediatric neurosurgeon and she also has postive TB tests due to a genetic issue. All you have to do is get a chest x-ray confirming that you do not have TB and you should be all good!

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I had a positive reading in 1986. Since then I take x-rays when a TB test is requested. The x-ray results are good for 5 years.

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