sunflower7

Hi all nurses

After wokring in NZ some years ago, where you could not work if you tested positive for MRSA on arrival, is this the case in Australia/WA?
Might have to get myself swabbed here just in case

dcknsn

I have worked in Brisbane recently and although they swab patients from other hospitals ( as the do in UK) I was not swabbed. So I don't think so.

purple rain

I have never been swabbed here
Jacqui

sme

They do in WA before commencing employment but not a big problem - just need treatment if positive. Could get it done before (and instigate treatment if required ) so you won't get a posative result. However they will still swab you as you have been out of the state in the previous 12 months.

breezeboylan

I've never been swabbed in WA and I've been employed by both private and public

Tracie

sme

It was part of my pre-employment checks along with bloods and polio test.

sunflower7

Thanks everyone, I have 4 weeks before I start my job so I guess I'll be ok, might even see if I can get tested and treated here, as last time I had it...

Brisbane bound

I have a friend (a nurse). She has been admitted to hopital in Brisbane and was of course swabbed for MRSA and waiting for the results. She's worried sick about being tested +ve. What will this mean for her job, do any of you know? She is so ill but this is worrying her more than anything. They would treat her for MRSA but it takes a hell of a long time to get a negative result after treatment I think. Would she have to stay off sick in the interim? Silly, thing is that most of the nurses from the Uk would probably all test +ve if tested. She works in a public health hospital in QLD.
I do hope some of you out there may know the answer so I can put her mind at ease.

sme

All they will do is barrier nurse her and treat her for it. She can still work.