pluskon

Thanks for the response kukukajoo! Those are some great ideas. But my acronym skills are failing me here...what's VNA stand for?

I actually do have my immunization record from high school (it doesn't include the chicken pox vaccine because I never had one--the school nurse just took my word for it when I told her I chicken pox as a child and believed that I was immune) and I have documentation of the Hep B series I received in college. Unfortunately, at my school you must provide written documentation of either having the illness or receiving a vaccination AND have antibody titers showing immunity. Since I can't prove I had chicken pox, they want me to get the vaccine and get a titer 6 months later proving immunity (it's kind of silly that I can't just get the titer proving immunity first and be done with it). As for all the other immunizations that I have on record, they still require titers on top of the documentation. That's going to be super costly unless my local health department with do titers for me in addition to the chicken pox vaccine and an adult polio booster that I apparently need (even though I had 3 separate doses as a child). I sure hope they will!!!

Thanks guys! I wasn't sure about whether or not my local health department would help me out with the titers or not (since I don't need them to be healthy) but I'm going to give it shot and see what they say. I have to have the titers one way or another and I really can't afford them at full price right now, so hopefully they'll be understanding. And hopefully they won't think I'm nuts for wanting the chicken pox series even though I've already had chicken pox and am immune! I wish I could track down my old doctor from childhood, but the clinic he worked at is long since gone and I don't think my Mom can even remember his name (it was about 20 years ago!). In all likelihood, I didn't even go to the doc for treatment because it was so obvious what I had and my case was mild. Getting the redundant vaccination and titers is a sacrifice I'm willing to make to attend my nursing program...but I sure wish the school would cut students a deal on them!

Does anyone have any tips on how or where I can get these done affordably? I'm not working right now, so don't have much money or health insurance. I had chicken pox as a kid, but I don't have any written documentation, so I have to get the adult varicella immunization series. In addition, my BSN nursing program requires many antibody titers, even if you can provide official documentation of vaccination--and they aren't covered by our student health fee or the optional health insurance offered through the school. Any advice or info would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Commuter, Which Sallie Mae loan did you apply for? I was interested in the Signature Loan but was put off by all the talk of needing a co-signer for good interest rates (there's really no one I would want to ask to be a co-signer for me). I just assumed they would offer me a high interest rate without one, but I'm pleased to know they offered you 7% since we have a similar credit score and I need to borrow about as much as you did. Did you apply for the Signature loan or a different kind (like Stafford or Tuition Answer)?