Nurses on immunosuppressives?

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

I'm currently working on a Med-Surg unit that has ages 3 days to 100yrs for patients. Next week I'll be starting Enbrel for Ankylosing Spondylitis. Seeing as how I had to show a negative TB test prior to starting and have blood work showing no active infections, I'm wondering about working in such an infection-heavy environment. We occassionally get TB patients and use that cursed hood/shroud instead of duck-billed masks, have lots of pneumonia, flus, gastroenteritis, and RSV in the babies. I'm looking for a change in jobs and have an interview this week for PACT (psych home health basically) and an interview soon for school nurse (which is where I really want to be.) I know the school nurse position would expose me to a lot of colds/flu, but I would have more control over obsessively disinfecting my environment whereas in the hospital I can disinfect my computer and cart and hands.

Anybody who has taken immunosuppressives and stayed in healthcare? Or know someone who has? I'm a little concerned with the infection issue...

Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

I'm curious too! I've been wondering how it works for nurses receiving chemotherapy for cancer.

Good luck with your treatment BTW, I hope it works out for you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cath Lab, Cardiology,Neuro.

I too have an autoimmune disease and my immune system is shot to hell. I take Airborne at the first sign of a cold, and it helps protect me when I am around others who are sick. I dunno about protecting from TB, but I would wear a mask if I were you, and when it comes to MRSA, treat all like they are infected, and use good infection control methods and wash down all beds and surfaces.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I took 2 courses of Enbrel, worked in the health care setting and sick kids (my grandkids) with no problems and used universal precautions in the workplace. This was my experience. Check with your provider if you're unsure.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cath Lab, Cardiology,Neuro.

I wouldnt be worried about Enbrel but if you are put on Methotrexate, which really shoots your immune system to hell, then I would be concerned. My father used to take Enbrel for his psoriatic arthritis, alongside with Methotrexate, but now is on Remicade (it is cheaper than Enbrel) with Methotrexate. He is cautious of sick people!

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Not familiar with the meds.

As as school nurse, I can tell you I have had teachers getting chemo who still come to work. Keep lysol wipes handy and wipe the door and phone several times a day!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cath Lab, Cardiology,Neuro.

These products are now my best friends:

Purell (I keep one on my keychain, and use the Purell dispensers at work)

Handwashing like that Monk guy

Lysol wipes

Airborne

Blueberry Pomegranate juice

O.J. (not OJ Simpson!)

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

I am a transplant recipient on immune suppression and have never got any infection from a patient. My normal WBC is in the 2s or low 3s. I am pretty obsessive about NEVER touching my face at work and hand washing. I work with isolation pts all the time. Knocking on wood now!

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