Health Requirements

As part of the nursing curriculum, the College of Nursing partners with healthcare agencies nation-wide and abroad so students can have hands-on experience in a clinical setting. This provides students with the opportunity to learn vital nursing skills and apply theory in a practical way.

In order to participate in clinical courses, students must clear specific health and physical requirements to be allowed on site and interact with patients and clients. PLEASE NOTE, FACILITIES WILL NOT ALLOW STUDENTS ONSITE THAT DO NOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS. THOSE STUDENTS WILL BE AT RISK OF NOT COMPLETING CLINICAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS. Clinical courses are a mandatory part of the College of Nursing’s programs of study, therefore, students will need to comply in order to meet degree requirements. Also, healthcare agencies may have additional requirements above and beyond those of the College of Nursing. It is up to the student to meet those requirements and bear any associated cost.

Requirements may update at any given time in alignment with CDC standards. Students should refer back to this section for any updates. 

Compliance Tracking: Below is a general summary of the requirements students must have. Upon admission, begin compliance tracking paperwork submissions early to ensure everything is completed on time! Evidence of the following must be submitted: 

1. MMR – Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, and Rubella
   • Pre-licensure Students:
     • Pre-licensure students must submit proof of immunity for each of the above to be cleared.
     • Students must submit proof of completed immunization or positive surface antibody titers to be cleared. See instructions below if the titer is negative.
     • This is a one-time submission
   • Post-licensure Students:
     • Post-licensure Students must have a positive titer for each of the above to be cleared.
     • If you have a negative or equivocal titer, you must receive the appropriate immunization or booster.
     • Re-draw the titer one month after your final immunization and submit the positive result
     • If negative or equivocal, submit the result, along with a note from your Healthcare Provider stating you are a non-responder
     • Submit all tests and records from your healthcare provider; no special forms needed
     • This is a one-time submission
2. Varicella (Commonly known as “Chicken Pox”)
   • All Students:
     • Students must submit proof of immunity to be cleared
     • Students must submit proof of completed immunization or positive surface antibody titer to be cleared; history of disease is not accepted
     • If you have a negative or equivocal titer, you must receive the appropriate immunization or booster
     • Re-draw the titer one month after your final immunization and submit the positive result
     • If negative or equivocal, submit the result, along with a note from your Healthcare Provider stating you are a non-responder
     • Submit all tests and records from your healthcare provider; no special forms needed
     • This is a one-time submission
3. Hepatitis B
   • Pre-licensure Students:
     • Pre-licensure students must submit proof of adult immunization prior to starting classes and a positive titer is required by the end of the second semester. See instructions below if the titer is negative.
   • Post-licensure Students:
     • A positive titer is required for admission
     • If negative, a booster immunization series is required
     • Re-draw the titer one month after your final immunization and submit the positive result
     • If the titer is again negative, submit the result, along with a note from your healthcare provider stating you received the series and booster and are a non-responder
     • Submit all tests and records from your healthcare provider; no special forms needed
     • This is a one-time submission
4. Tuberculosis Testing
   • A negative, 2-step PPD test, Quantiferon Gold, or T-spot is required upon entry into the nursing program. One of the following is required:
     • 2 step TB Skin test (administered 1-3 weeks apart)
       • Step 1: TB skin test administered. 48-72 hours later, return to have the test site read.
       • Step 2: 1-3 weeks later, you will need to have a 2nd TB skin test administered. 48-72 hours later, return to have the test site read.
       • Note: The 2-step TB test requires 4 visits to your healthcare provider for completion.
         OR
       • 2 consecutive annual TB tests (administered 9-13 months apart with the most recent within the past 12 months)
         OR
       • QuantiFERON Gold blood test (lab report required, must be completed yearly)
         OR
       • T-SPOT blood test (lab report required, must be completed yearly)
         OR
       • If positive results, BOTH of the following are required:
         • Clear chest x-ray (lab report required) completed any year AND
         • Self reporting TB Questionnaire completed on school form within the past 12 months (must be completed yearly)
   • The renewal date will be set for 1 year. Upon renewal, one of the following is required:
     • 1-step TB Skin Test (2 visits to your healthcare provider)
       OR
     • QuantiFERON Gold blood test (lab report required)
       OR
     • T-SPOT blood test (lab report required)
       OR
     • If previous positive results, submit an updated self-reporting TB Questionnaire completed on school form.
   • Note: If your TB test has an expiration that falls during a semester, you must renew prior to the start of the term.
   • Note: The 1-step MUST be drawn within 12 months of the last test, or it will not be accepted. If you fall outside of the 12-month renewal period, you must have another 2-step test
5. TDAP – Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
   • TDAP immunization within the past 10 years is required. Td (tetanus-diptheria only) is not acceptable.
   • The TDAP must remain current throughout your enrollment in the nursing program
   • If your TDAP has an expiration that falls during a semester, you must renew prior to the start of the term
   • Submit all tests and records from your healthcare provider; no special forms needed
   • You may need to submit more than once, depending on your expiration date
6. CPR certification  
   American Heart Association (AHA) AHA or American Red Cross (ARC) BLS (Basic Life Support) for Healthcare Provider Card is required. There is a mandatory, in-person skills check-off for all AHA and ARC BLS for Healthcare Provider courses.
   • We do not accept any other CPR certification, as per clinical facility requirements. AHA and ARC "equivalent" courses from other companies and programs are not acceptable.  Online-only courses are not acceptable. Courses such as AHA and ARC First Aid CPR AED, CPR AED, Lifeguarding, Babysitter, Family & Friends, and Sports Training CPR courses are not acceptable.
   • Submit a copy of the front and back of your card
   • You will need to submit more than once, depending on your expiration date. BLS cards are good for 2 years, but must remain current for the duration of the semester
   • Note: If your card has expiration that falls during a semester, you must renew prior to the start of the term.
   • Military issued CPR cards that use the AHA for healthcare workers curriculum will be accepted and require a special override from Clinical Affairs. See contact us information below if this applies to you.
7. Health Insurance
   • Proof of current health insurance is required.
   • If you have your own health insurance, submit a copy of the USA Health Insurance attestation (found in Complio) with a witness signature and your card (front and back) that includes your name.
   • If you are covered under another person's policy, submit the following: 1) a copy of the USA Health Insurance attestation (found in Complio) with a witness signature 2) a copy of your card (front and back), and 3) a letter or documentation from the insurance company stating you are covered under the policy
   • If your health insurance changes, contact Complio so you can upload your new proof of insurance.
   • Health Insurance verification is required each year.
   • Note: If your verification expires during a semester, you must submit prior to the start of the term.
8. Influenza Vaccination
   • All students are required to submit proof of an annual Influenza Vaccination each year.
   • The influenza vaccine is not available until late August/early September each year.
   • Students who apply for Fall admission should submit the previous season’s proof of vaccination to satisfy this requirement. If the student did not receive the flu vaccine prior to admission, the student will need to provide proof as soon as it is available (early September).
9. Physical Examination
   • Download the Physical Examination Form found in your Complioc profile
   • The form must be completed, stamped, and cleared by your healthcare provider
   • This is a one-time submission
10. HIPAA / OSHA / Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Training Certifications   
    Provide certification of HIPAA / OSHA / Bloodborne Pathogen training
    • Pre-licensure students
      • Pre-licensure students must purchase HIPAA & OSHA / Bloodborne pathogen training and submit all certificates to CastleBranch
      • NV30el - HIPAA/OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogen eLearning Tracker ($30)
    • Post-licensure students
      • Post-licensure students should provide certification of HIPAA, OSHA and Bloodborne Pathogen training.  Students who do not have the required training certificates should complete the appropriate eLearning courses provided in Castle Branch, by using the order numbers below:
        • NV37hipaa - HIPAA eLearning Tracker ($15)
        • NV37osha - OSHA / Bloodborne Pathogen eLearning Tracker ($15)
        • NV37el - HIPAA/OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogen eLearning Tracker ($30)
11. Statement of Responsibility and Waivers of Liability
    • Complete the form per instructions in the Complio profile.
12. Authorization for Release of Information
    • Download this form found in your Castle Branch profile. Complete the form per instructions and upload back to the Castle Branch requirement.
13. License (RN, LPN/LVN, APRN, Additional applicable to your program)
14. Certification (ACLS, PALS, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, Additional Advanced Practice applicable to your program)