Pre-employment Screen Cancer Survivor

[SarahBell]

Hello everyone,

I have been in remission for eight years now from Hodgkins lymphoma. A large factor in going into nursing was being sick myself and wanting to be a positive and truly sympathetic presence in someone's recovery process. I was diagnosed when I was 18 years old. I had received the first of my hep b series of shots and then two days later, on the same side of my body that I received the vaccine, I had enlarged lymph nodes later diagnosed as Hodgkins. I am not an anti vaccine person. I believe that they are important and I have remained up to date on all of my vaccines except Hep B. I have a doctors note from my oncologist outlining why he believes it is not in my best interest to receive this vaccine. I just was hired to work at a hospital and I am concerned about the following during my pre-hire health screen.

1. Being failed because I cannot receive the Hep B series.

2. Being failed because in order to explain why I cannot receive the Hep B series, I have to disclose that I had cancer many years ago.

I have come so far and I believe that I will make a wonderful nurse. Do you think this will impede me in the hiring process? Thank you so much for your help :)

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

AFAIK, not wanting to receive the Hep B series is not an automatic disqualification for employment. All the facilities I've worked at/dealt with will offer you the vaccine but you have the right to refuse--you just have to sign a statement saying you were offered the vaccine but wish to decline even though the vaccine is recommended.

Basically, they want it on paper that you are aware that you're taking your chances by not getting the shots, so they can minimize their liability should something happen.

Employee occupational health would be the best ones to answer this question though.

Congrats on the job offer!

[OCNRN63, RN]

Having cancer puts you in a "protected class," according to the Americans With Disabilities Act. You can't be fired for the reasons you listed.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Every place I have worked has given me the option to decline the Hep B vaccine. They just want it on record that you understand the risk, so that down the line you don't sue them or ask for worker's comp if you end up getting the virus from a work related exposure. You will be fine.