Refuse TB test

[Happy-ER-RN]

Do I have the right to refuse the TB skin test? I work at two places and it seems like between them I'm getting a TB test every 6 months, one won't take the other's results, I am tired of it and I looked around and saw that the test is made with a known carcinogen. It just seems like every other day they are coming at me with a needle trying to inject me with something "for my safety." I am just fed up and I don't want anymore TB tests unless I know I have been exposed. But I don't want to be difficult either--so do I have the right to refuse? Can I be fired?

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Depending on where you live the CDC may not even recommend a TB screen annually. We live in a low risk area so do not have to do it anymore unless exposed.

[Myxel67]

When I worked Respiratory/HIV, test was required q 6 months. I do live in a higher risk area. Since I no longer work Respiratory, test only once a year now.

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

Work ER, we're tested every 6 months...I submit to it, have seen way too many cases where we've already been treating pt for several hours, and then CXR comes back suspicious and pt is put on iso or even worse, treated the pt for their whole ER visit and then get a call from infection control in the next day or two with concerns about pt TB status.