nursestudent101

I have answered my own question. They do check for hepatitis B when they draw the blood. Result from the blood test show that I'm a carrier of hepatitis B but it doesn't bar me from working as a nurse. The friendly physician gave me information on the disease and advise that I use universal precautions when working with patients. I strongly believe in the practice of univeral precautions and practice it all the time so I not concern with affecting my patients. I hope this will help someone else with similar issues and concerns that they want to get address. Thanks to everyone who posted on the issue of Hepatitis B.

Thank you for the quick response.

Hi, I hope someone in this forum have experience a similar situation like mine. I'm an older non-traditional male student returning to school for a second bachelor in pursuit of a bachelor's in nursing. It took me 2 years of waiting to get into this highly competitive nursing school but I managed to get accepted last year. I had to go through all the vaccination shots including the Hepatitis B series. Everything has been going great in classroom as well as clinical. I enjoy working with people and I'm glad that I switched to a career in nursing. Just recently, I discovered that my sister and I are Hepatitis B carrier (I was devastated). I must have been born with it because my mother is also Hepatitis B carrier. I have been living healthy all life focusing on weight training and eating healthy - this really blows to find out that I'm a Hepatitis B carrier. I'm in the process of applying for an internship at one of the hospital that I have my clinical rotation. Their pre-employment screening includes a drug test and physical examination which require blood to be drawn. The HR person told me the blood drawn was to check for Hepatitis. I was afraid to ask for details. My questions are: What exactly are they looking for when they draw my blood? Are they checking for the Hepatitis B antibody or checking to see if I have Hepatitis B. If they know I have Hepatitis B, do they have the rights to Not hire me as an intern? Will I be able to get employment at other hospitals? Since this hospital is also my clinical rotation hospital, will I be able to finish my clinical rotation and schooling if that hospital rejects me as an intern?I appreciate any feedback. Thank You.