Would u consider working at an AIDS/HIV facilityas a new graduate?

HappyNurse2005, RN · Nov 14, 2004

well, do you have an interest in working with AIDS/HIV patients? if not, then don't bother. work where you have an interest.

if you have an interest, then go for it. if you are careful, practice standard precautions, etc you wouldnt have to worry about contracting anything,even if there were needles.

and, even if you worked in the hospital, any of the pt's could have HIV and you wouldn't know it. so whats the difference?

love, rose

fergus51 · Nov 14, 2004

Sounds nice and it probably would look good on a resume. Where is the hospital? That would be my only concern (if the cost of living is crazy or something).

aruray · Nov 14, 2004

Sounds nice and it probably would look good on a resume. Where is the hospital? That would be my only concern (if the cost of living is crazy or something).

its in NYC where the cost of living is up in the skies! but i live in the suburbs so the cost of living dont bother me much, i think...

ty for the reply btw:)

aruray · Nov 14, 2004

well, do you have an interest in working with AIDS/HIV patients? if not, then don't bother. work where you have an interest.
if you have an interest, then go for it. if you are careful, practice standard precautions, etc you wouldnt have to worry about contracting anything,even if there were needles.
and, even if you worked in the hospital, any of the pt's could have HIV and you wouldn't know it. so whats the difference?
love, rose

exactly. thanks for the post, rose. :)

i dont mind working with HIV/AIDS pt. ive never dealt with anybody with a fatal dz like that so i wouldnt know how i would react.

well my concern is its somewhat like a safeway house, so all if not most of the pts are homeless? so im thinking they might not be in the best mental health and might go bezerk one day and do something to hurt the staff. wouldnt that be a big possibility? so im more concered about safety more than anything else.

ER_RN21 · Nov 15, 2004

Well I can say that from working on a Medical unit for the last 6 mos that has a really high risk population ( AIDS/HIV, HepC/HepB, VRE) that you adapt to what the situation calls for. I learned very quickly to put on gloves as soon as I walked into a room. As for the psyche part, I think any pt. has the possiblility to become a psyche pt and do something crazy.. . but if you are concerned, ASK about how often they have a situation like that. They should tell you and if it does happen they should train you in restraints also. Explain to me the needless facility? Do they not give medical tx? Or is there no IV's, just all pills? Never heard of that before. Sounds neat. Good luck, and go with your heart.

nurseyd · Nov 16, 2004

Is it a long term place or hospital? I worked in a long term facility for people with HIV/AIDS, I think it would give you great experience. You will learn a lot. I don't think it would be much different than starting in any medical unit- you know thats what everyone says- to get that experience first.

CHATSDALE · Nov 16, 2004

i work at a psyche ltc and we have several hiv.aids pts...really big problem i have is tha they are sexually active and many of the other residents are not hiv+ .. with HIPPA reg you cannot talk to other residents though i know of a nurse who did...but it was after the two residents were involved so may have too late to prevent cross infection...as for the OP question...i have no problems working with these people..someone has to give them care .. if you are in the health care field you will deal with this and MRSA and anything else that will come in the future...maybe worse than anything we have seen...you don't know what the terrorists have or what will naturally mutate...practice good hyigene and protect yourself and your other patients

BeachNurse · Nov 17, 2004

I have worked in HIV/AIDS for about four years now. I find it to be challenging and very rewarding. I am in research so it has been interesting to see the new advances being made in this area. I do draw blood, and for some reason, don't really sweat it. I have never been stuck. One friend of mind has been stuck on 2 separate ocaissons but came out fine.

I think the place sounds great. My clinic is located in a "county hospital" that sees everyone and mostly urban clients who became infected through drug abuse and prostitution. The GWM (gay white men) who have insurance mostly go elsewhere. I take care of both pediatric and adult patients. The biggest growing challenge is the kids who were perinatally-infected and are now growing up to be teens (never thought possible when they were born) and teaching them the importance of not spreading their disease. We have one girl who is screwing everyone and anyone and not using protection no matter how much we educate and no matter how many comdoms she is given. It can be tough! It's tough to see 23 year olds who refuse to take their meds and end up dying, leaving behind a kid or two. There are silver linings, but it can be sad sometimes.

aruray · Nov 17, 2004

wow. thanks for your inputs guys.

ill definitely consider working here. by telling me ur experiences, it has helped me picture myself in the job, plus u make it sound a lot more exciting than ur average med-surg floor =D. i think its something i can do.

subacute care is what they used to describe what they do over there. i didnt clarify what needless means. but its something im definitely intrested in but just wasnt sure if its ok as a first job.

bearzhuny · Nov 19, 2004

Hi. I want everybodys opinion on whether i should try working in an AIDS/HIV facility after graduation. This agency has been trying to commit me(and quite aggressively) to work for them as soon as I graduate. The pay is in the upper 60's, the agency provides a 3month training with 1 on 1 perceptor. The contract is a year. They say there are no needles in the facility, and the experience is a nice thing to add to my resume What could be wrong here??

If I were you I would definantly (sp?) do it. Not only is the pay decent (I'm not sure where you are) but the emotional satisfaction and service you provide will be well worth it. Most of theses people are alone and the care you provide them is priceless. my father ( who has been a nurse for 40+ yrs) worked in HIV/Aids hospice and when i visited I could not beleive how families could turn their back on loved one in such a time of need. It only a year out of your life. Go for it the experience will be worth it and who know you may have found your calling. Good luck on your desicion.

viviannurse · Nov 19, 2004

wow. thanks for your inputs guys.
ill definitely consider working here. by telling me ur experiences, it has helped me picture myself in the job, plus u make it sound a lot more exciting than ur average med-surg floor =D. i think its something i can do.
subacute care is what they used to describe what they do over there. i didnt clarify what needless means. but its something im definitely intrested in but just wasnt sure if its ok as a first job.

Like many before me have said..you will probably deal with HIV-AIDS patients in just about any setting you work in..you have to use standard precautions and prudent nursing judgement in any position you are in..alot of times the dx of AIDS-HIV may not be on the MAR, but listed in the chart only, I work for agency and use the same standard of care for all pts...there are diseases worse than AIDS-HIv and are probably more than we know about and who knows how things can be transmitted....also there are the patients who are positive but do not know or have not been diagnosed..the conditions and terms of the employement sound great and would look good on a resume and if they really do 1 on 1 preceptor that would be invaluable to you as a new nurse......ask for a tour of the facility, only after you visit it during the day without them knowing you might be a potentional employee..take a friend with you that might act like they are interested in placing some one there, or you could just cruise through and tell them ( if asked) that you are scouting out a facility for a friend,family member..etc...I have done this before and sometimes you see things that might or might not appeal to you......good luck