[vincent]

Hi everyone,

Coud/Should I become a nurse if I take immunosuppressant drugs?
I had a kidney transplant several years ago and I'm doing very good. Currently I'm taking Prograft and Cellcept for anti-rejection.
Can anyone here shed some light on this?

-Vince

[cassioo]

I would talk to your doctor. You would be exposed to lots of things during nursing school after you graduate it would depend on what kind of nursing you did as to what you were exposed to.

[nursinghumor]

My question would be how long you're going to be on the drugs and why you were on them in the first place.

If it is for your Kidney, that may or may not be a temporary situation. If you were on it for rheumatoid arthritis or some chronic purpose, your doctor would probably discourage you from direct patient care.

Nurses with AIDS/HIV, Hepatitis, etc can practice nursing as long as they are physically able and follow common sense precautions.

In your case, right now you'd be more at risk to catch what your patients have due to the medications you're on.

I'd chat with your doctor about your future career plans.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com

[vincent]

Originally Posted by nursinghumor

My question would be how long you're going to be on the drugs and why you were on them in the first place.

If it is for your Kidney, that may or may not be a temporary situation. If you were on it for rheumatoid arthritis or some chronic purpose, your doctor would probably discourage you from direct patient care.

Nurses with AIDS/HIV, Hepatitis, etc can practice nursing as long as they are physically able and follow common sense precautions.

In your case, right now you'd be more at risk to catch what your patients have due to the medications you're on.

I'd chat with your doctor about your future career plans.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com

Hi Andrew,

I'm taking it to keep my body from rejecting the transplanted kidneys. I will have to take them the rest of my life. It's very depressing since I really want to help out patients and possibly become a nephrology nurse.

BTW, I didn't know nurses w/ HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis could work at a hospital since they are most at risk and could infect patients.

-Vincent

[nursinghumor]

If you follow the same precautions for each patient, then the chances of catching, or giving someone a disease you have is minimal.

Treat very bodily fluid as if it is infectious and you'll do fine.

You could always think about getting involved in support groups for kidney patients, become a diaysis technician or some other job that doesn't involve direct patient care and exposure.

Next time you go in for a check up, do bring it up and ask for suggestions.

Wish you the best.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[Karl Johan]

I think it depends on what field you work in, caring for rehab patients wouldn't be a huge problem, but an infectious diseases hospital could be suicide though.

I agree that it's best to talk it over with someone who has knowledge and experience, I'm sure there are people who specialise in advising immuno-compromised people what is and isn't safe for them to do, so you could try that.

Regards,
KJ

[Brendenb]

I have worked with someone who is in the same situation you are. He too had a kidney transplant and is taking immunosupressant drugs. He's worked as a surgical technician for 4 years now and is doing fine. He sees his doctors regularly and manages his health vigilantly.

Just like everyone else, he does get sick, but it's mostly from the common cold/flu. It takes him a little longer than usual to get over it. As far as I know, he has had no other problems due to his medication and working in the Operating Room.