Work and Sickness

Nurses General Nursing

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I am just beginning LPN classes. I was wondering if many of you have a problem with bringing sicknesses home to your family? I am worried that when I start work, I may make my children sick (ones 4 and the other 3 months) Is this a big problem for you? I will probably be working in a nursing home. I know that all nurses/doctors can't be childless. So, what are some tips you can give me to help keep germs down? What can I do to make sure I don't pass the things I'm expossed to to my children?

Thanks for your help!

Amy

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Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands...;)

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Specializes in ER, Hospice, CCU, PCU.

First thing you should learn is Wash your hands, never forget it, it really makes a difference. I work in an Emergency Room and "Knock on Wood" have never taken anything home. Seldom get the "bugs" myself. Good luck in your progrram.

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Did someone mention yet to wash your hands? ;)

This might seem anal, but coming home from clinicals (and now, from work) I always enter through the garage (near laundry room). Drop the shoes either just inside the door (where the kids aren't going) or leave them in the garage. Drop the clothes in the laundry bin I keep next to the washing machine for this purpose. Walk upstairs in my undies (which my husband doesn't mind!) and head for shower. If I know I have to put kids on bus in morning and don't have time to change before that (I work nights) I'm careful to not hug kids unless I'm completely wrapped in my coat!

And you know what? After years of THEM being in school and ME being in school, I think we've got enough antibodies in our family for some scientist to use our blood to make vaccines :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands...;)

and then wash your hands again. Teach your kids to do the same.

Several of the mom's I work with take their scrubs off in their garages like the poster above.

Generally, healthy people and their kids don't get sick, because we have our defenses such as skin, nose, friendly germs that crowd out the bugs that might make us sick, etc. One of those lines of defense is intact skin, so when your kids get those everyday cuts and lacerations be extra diligent in keeping yourself and the wounds clean. I've heard of some kids getting MRSA infections.

Good luck and don't worry too much about it. There's not much literature about kids getting sick from moms who are nurses, because it's more than likely rare.

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

I would wash my hands, take off my shoes before you enter the front door, and when the 4-year old comes running say, "Mommy's all germy! Let me change clothes first!"...and of course, washing your hands.

Once she learns your new routine, she'll welcome that big coming home hug as soon as your clothes are changed.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I left my shoes in the car and had a pair of slippers to wear into the house. Washer right at the back door, hands and arms WASHED for at least 30 sec. No hugging until after shower. I was in school when the kids got chicken pox. I caught mumps from them! So sometimes it goes the other direction. Oh and BTW

WASH YOUR HANDS.

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Has anyone said "Wash your hands" yet?

I've been doing this for over 18 years and have never brought home anything worse than a cold, and I've actually caught more colds from my kids and from my patients.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

When I first began my nursing career, my son was immunocomprised and I was especially vigilant with him - took scrubs, shoes and socks off before coming into house, then took shower immediately. I also washed my scrubs in a separate load of clothes, apart from everything else.

After my son got better, I just ensured that I used good and frequent handwashing.

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As everyone has said so far, wash your hands! Wash your hands! Wash your hands! I work in a LTC facility and I constantly wash my hands. Right before i leave the building i wash my hands and use hand sanitizer. Another thing i do is enter my home through the laundry and drop my scrubs into the washer, hamper, and change into something clean. Don't worry your head too much. I've been a LTC facility for 2 yrs now, and i have never brought any sickness home to my family.

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I hate to tell you this, but your kids are going to get way more sick at school than from you;) ! Wait until you see the condition other parents send their kids to school in. Burns me up :angryfire !!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

isn't that the truth solidaritynurse. We had a bday party for my nephew last year at the bowling lanes. One parent sent their child and she had lice for the third time (unbeknown to us)....but back on the subject at hand. I have done this for over 24 years and have never brought anything home either. I can't agree more with everyone else. WASH WASH WASH your hands!!!

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