med surg nursing

Question

Hi everyone.. Just popping in cuz today I start clinicals and am a NERVOUS wreck!! I treated 3 yrs or so ago, and accomplished svr.. I am so scared that I will be discriminated or treated badly becuz of my med history...  Should I just count on poor treatment, especially since I will be doing clinicals at the hospital associated with Dr that diagnosed me? Somebody !!! please help me calm down!!! Im scared that since i will be in the Operating Room, around body fluids and blood that Dr's will not feel comfortable working with me!!!!

goldenrule · Answer

Hi FRIEND!!!
How much longer do u have of school??

Isobella · Answer

I worried about seeing my trial doc on the floor, too. I see him practically every Monday....I don't think he even recognizes me, lol!  He just gives me that look like "do I know you from somewhere??"

I've had several clients that have HCV. Prior to clinicals, I thought I would bring some great insight to the table because of my own experiences with HCV, so far all my clients have been so ill with other issues that the hep wasn't even on the radar screen.

Good luck with your clinicals!!!!!

Isobella

yodennis · Answer

I went through clinicals years ago. I've worked with hundreds of patients. I've had 3 children. I've been sexually active and still am. and I never infected anyone. And I failed therapy and have cirrhosis. I'm confused by your innocence relative to the kind of education you are in the process of receiving. You must have some idea of the epidemiology of HCV, transmission principles, and  universal precautions as a generic barrier.
 p.s. HCV is not a skeleton in the closet-  it is a disease to which we bring the moral modifiers. Obviously- or what I feel is obvious- the need for discretion and discrimination in communicating our HCV status to those that would misinterpret or harm us by such disclosure is necessary. Clinical training can be very challenging but you needn't add to the anxiety of this challenge the ingredient of HCV. Good luck with your clinicals and celebrate the fact you defeated the virus. I wish I had. My best. d

Deb9991 · Answer

I don't think you have anything to worry about.  You are in the medical profession to begin with.  Also, anyone who would think any unkind thoughts about you and having had HCV, isn't even worth worrying about.  Also, it has come as a surprise to me that many people really don't know that much about HCV.  I knew about hepatitis, but until I gave blood at work, and got results back from the Red Cross, I didn't really know what having HCV really meant.  I learned real quick though after seeing my doctor.  I was, erroneously, under the impression that you got hep from dirty utencils, or non-steralized medical instruments, and things like that -- which, you can get hepatitis from those sources -- sort of rare though.  I'm sort of impressed with how cool people have been.  I've been pretty upfront about what I am going through -- and I mention interferon because I contacted hepatitis.  That's really all I've had to say.  No one has even asked me how I got it or where or when, or even what type of hep.  Most people are kind and compassionate -- also, if most people are honest with themselves, they will know that there is no such thing as a perfect person.  Everybody has at least one skelton in their closet.  Don't give it another thought.

meakea · Answer

Carry your confidence in your eyes and go!

goldenrule · Answer

thanks soo much for the encouraging words. Just got out of my first class and i feel better already!! Also found an email from a old friend on here in which she tells me its time to let go of the shame and guilt... This is sooo true!!! Its TIME!!! Love u guys and LOVE this forum...Thanks again!!
Im done getting so worked up that I make myself sick!! Sick days are done!! DX and TX is in the past!!

meakea · Answer

I agree...don't let yourself define "you" as the one who had Hep C or it will spill over into your daily life that way.  As Trin said above..."show up, do what you're supposed to do and don't give it another thought."  (Well, said Trin)

Trinity4 · Answer

Why would you worry about seeing the doctor who treated you?  He knows you're SVR and knows in no way can you transmit hepc.  There are doctors, nurses and others in  healthcare who are have active hepc and work in their field everyday.  People in the heathcare industry cannot be discriminated against who have hepc unless it is proven they have infected others. 

To me, it sounds like you are the one approaching your new career with trepidation but really, it's unfounded.  Show up, do what you're supposed to do and don't give it another thought.

Good Luck,
Trinity

nygirl7 · Answer

You are cured there is nothing to be nervous about you do not have the disease any longer. I wouldn't even bring it up unless he did to say "Yes I'm cured thank you" and that is that all else would be illegal.

carol411 · Answer

I can see why you would be nervous about starting clinicals.  It's a big step and an opportunity to demonstrate all the education up to now is going to be used to good effect.  I don't understand why having been cured of Hep C would be an issue.  You are working in a medical community and they should understand better than the rest of the general population.

On a personal note, I'm in treatment and working in a position of some responsibility (not in the medical field) in a small town.  I wanted to keep my dx and tx to myself but it didn't work out that way.  Because the information is out there I quit trying to hide it.  If someone asks me anything I answer.  If it's how are you I answer that I'm still putting one foot in front of the other and change the subject.  If it's what is wrong with you I tell them and add as much information about the disease as they seem willing to listen to.  It's opened some pretty interesting conversations.  I'm not shunned.  If you think your medical information is out there (and why would it be?  these people are medical professionals and surely respect privacy) then just be matter of fact if it comes up.  You are cured.  Many people in health care are afraid of the needle stick, you are in a position to educate and calm.  

But most importantly you are cured and have gone on to do good things with your life.  Way to go!!!