School asks for private info?

rn/writer, RN · Mar 3, 2011

I'm about to start a nursing program at Lanier Tech in the Atlanta area. I expected the school to give us a form about our general health and immunizations, but they are asking questions that don't seem to be pertinent to anything. Why does my school need to know when I had my first menses or if it's regular, how many times I've been pregnant, how many births...even my dental records? I mean seriously, is this normal? My previous school asked for immunization records, list of medications and general questions, which for that I do understand the reasoning.
Is your school asking these questions too? Is this normal?

In some cases, schools that have health departments/infirmaries may need this information as part of a thorough health history if you go there for a physical or for treatment (which could include immunizations). But the details are protected by HIPAA and should not be a part of your general student information.

If you are seeking any kind of patient care through the school, this may be legit, but as I stated above, it should not be lumped in with your academic file. If the info is for the health care folks, there should be a return envelope with their direct address.

If you are not seeking care through the school, I would inquire about the reasons behind these questions. Apart from a health care situation, they seem invasive and may border on illegal, depending on who is allowed to access the answers.

malarwen · Mar 3, 2011

Our school doesn't even offer any kind of healthcare!

rn/writer, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Then it doesn't seem reasonable for them to ask for this highly personal information.

I encourage you to make an inquiry. Too many people just do what they're told, even when alarm bells ring. This is one of those times when you have to throw a flag on the play and say, "Wait a minute!" Maybe no one has ever challenged them on this particular matter before.

It will be interesting to hear their thoughts on why your academic instructors need such intimate details about your life.

malarwen · Mar 3, 2011

My advisor refused to discuss the issue, so I left a voicemail for the dean. I'm seriously wondering about the reasons for asking this kind of questions. I'll post here again when I hear back from them.

solneeshka, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Yeah, that's really weird and not normal. At they very least, someone should be able to tell you why they are asking for that. I've never heard of anything like that before.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

My advisor refused to discuss the issue, so I left a voicemail for the dean.

Big red flags there. If they do not reply, I would be tempted to just not turn that part in, then if they pushed the issue, perhaps talk to an attorney.

malarwen · Mar 3, 2011

Well, this is the answer I received: Supply the information you feel comfortable and our clinical sites can determine if it is sufficient. Dental form is necessary. You are in patients personal space therfore a student with poor oral hygiene is not acceptable.

I doubt hospitals require dental records from their employees or information about the number of their pregnancies and their menstrual cycle. What institution oversees Colleges? Who can I contact about this?

OBplease · Mar 3, 2011

I'd probably be filling in with a n/a. I mean so if you don't have a menses are they going to exclude you? Do they ask the guys when they went into puberty too? Seems kind of silly. Wondering if they are trying to figure out who is pregnant? Of course when you started and if you are regular is just ridiculous!

malarwen · Mar 3, 2011

I'd probably be filling in with a n/a. I mean so if you don't have a menses are they going to exclude you? Do they ask the guys when they went into puberty too? Seems kind of silly. Wondering if they are trying to figure out who is pregnant? Of course when you started and if you are regular is just ridiculous!

No, they require this information only from women. THey are asking for lab results, too!

Part of the form:

For Female Students

Age menses started: _______________ Irregular: __________ Regular: _________

Gravida: __________

Para: __________

Pregnant: _________ no __________ yes: __________EDC

LAB: Hemoglobin ___________ Hematocrit __________ WBC __________

Urinalysis: Specific gravity ___________ Protein __________ Glucose _________

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Big red flags here. And really??? Dental records are important? Yea cause if I have a filling than I must have poor oral hygiene and can't provide good patient care.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 3, 2011

Id fill out the words to my favorite song one line at a time. That is ridiculous. We had to do a physical to get into clinicals but that was it.