Additional Admissions Requirements (Pre-Licensure Applicants)

Note: Sections 1 through 5 are required prior to beginning of the first course of the program. Updates are to be provided as needed throughout the program as items expire or renew. See “Health and Clinical Requirements” section for information.

1. Criminal Background Check
   Pre-licensure applicants must submit to and pass a criminal background check as appointed by the College and be cleared per State Board of Nursing rules and regulations for Colorado or Texas. The results must be in the student file prior to starting the program.

   The conviction or charge for certain criminal offenses may bar an applicant from participating in certain externship training experiences, eligibility to acquire professional certification/licensure required to function in professional career fields and obtaining employment. This includes, but is not limited to, any felony or misdemeanor identified on an applicant’s background report that may prevent the applicant’s completion of the program, acceptance to externship/clinical training facilities, achievement of professional certification/licensure, and attainment of employment in a particular field.

   Any candidate who has an adverse result on the background report is encouraged to seek approval from the certifying bodies of any applicable program to establish eligibility for certification/licensure and employment in that specific field. If an applicant with an adverse occurrence chooses to participate in a program that requires a clear background for admission to externship/clinical sites, eligibility to acquire professional certification/licensure required for employment in specific career fields and obtaining employment, the candidate will be required to sign a disclosure document accepting full responsibility for any and all costs associated with attending the career program, and does not hold the institution and its associates liable for being denied program completion, entrance to any and all externship/clinical training facilities necessary for the completion of the program, ability to achieve certification/licensure, or gain employment in the field of study.

   Students must maintain a clear criminal background while enrolled in the nursing program. Students must report to the Dean of Nursing in writing, any change in their criminal background or current status within 24 hours of occurrence (includes new citations and/or charges regardless of the pending or final adjudication). Students who fail to report any new citation or charge may be dismissed from the program. Specific information and details are provided by the Admissions Advisor.

2. Drug Screening
   The Pre-licensure applicant must submit to and pass a drug screen that must be in the applicant’s file prior to starting the program. Specific instructions to be followed will be provided by the Admissions Team.

   Inconclusive test results, including a dilute and/or insufficient sample, will require the applicant to be retested within 48 hours at their expense at the College’s designated collection center. A second inconclusive test result, to include a dilute and/or insufficient sample, will be considered a positive drug screen. The applicant will not be granted admission to the pre-licensure nursing program with a positive drug screen and will have to wait until the next quarter to retry admittance.

   An applicant who wishes to dispute the second positive drug screen may take a hair follicle test within 48 hours of the second positive result at their own expense. An applicant will not be granted admission to the pre-licensure nursing program with a positive hair follicle test result and will have to wait until the next quarter to retry admittance.

   Note: In some cases, an applicant may have a positive result due to prescribed medication. In these cases, the applicant must provide a written letter and proof of prescription from their healthcare provider to the Admissions Committee. After review, the Admissions Committee may supersede the positive result, providing clearance for the applicant to remain in good standing for admittance. If an applicant is taking a prescribed medication that can alter functional capabilities, the applicant must meet with the Dean of Nursing and provide clearance from their healthcare provider to determine their ability to participate in clinicals.

   Note: Despite its legal status and permitted medical and recreational uses under Colorado state law and the laws of other states, marijuana is still an illegal substance under federal law. The federal Controlled Substances Act includes marijuana as an Illegal Drug. Under the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and its implementing regulations, any college or university that receives funding from any federal program must have a program to prohibit the unlawful possession and use of illegal drugs, including marijuana. Failure to comply jeopardizes continued federal funding. As a recipient of federal funding, the College prohibits the possession or use of Controlled Substances, including marijuana, regardless of the marijuana’s form or method of consumption, and regardless of whether it is for recreational or medical use.

3. Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Card
   Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification must remain current while the pre-licensure student is enrolled in the nursing program. The College only accepts BLS Provider certification from the American Heart Association. The College must maintain a current signed copy of the student’s CPR card within the student file. Students are required to have their CPR card on them at all times during class, laboratory, and clinical activities. If the CPR card expires during the nursing program, the student may not participate in any clinical activities and may be dropped from the program. Missed clinical experiences will be considered an unexcused absence and may result in failure of the course.

4. DCN Physical Exam Form
   Students must sign and submit a current Physical Exam Form provided by DCN. It is essential that nursing students be able to perform physical and cognitive activities in the classroom, clinical, and learning laboratory components of the program. Students must immediately report any changes in their essential skills or functional abilities, to include any physical or mental health status changes, to the Dean of Nursing. Students may not attend clinical experiences while under any medication or medical treatment which may alter their perception and/or ability to provide safe patient care. It is the ultimate responsibility of the Dean of Nursing to make the final decision as to the student’s ability to participate in clinical activities. Failure to report a change in medical or mental health conditions as described above may result in the student being dropped from the nursing program. Students are required to report changes and/or additions in medication, new prescriptions, or changes in medical or mental health status to the Dean of Nursing within 24 hours and prior to participating in any clinical, laboratory, or simulation experience.

   Denver College of Nursing does not provide health services or health insurance for students. Students are encouraged to have adequate health insurance coverage to comply with the requirements for participation at clinical sites. If students do not have adequate coverage, or sign a waiver stating so, they may not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences and may be dropped from the program if equivalent experiences cannot be arranged.

   Students are responsible for all costs of medical services they require. Active members of the DCN Chapter of the National Student Nurses association may purchase health insurance coverage from www.nsna.org. Students should call 911 in an emergency situation. Denver College of Nursing provides workers’ compensation coverage for on-ground students while they are attending clinical sites.

5. Immunizations
   General Immunization Information
   Immunization/vaccination requirements are based on the current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for healthcare workers and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Contracted clinical agencies where students will be assigned may have additional health clearance and immunization requirements beyond the current recommendations by the CDC or ACIP.

   Students are not permitted to participate in any clinical experiences if their immunizations do not meet the standards outlined in this document or those required by specific clinical agencies.

   Individuals who are not able to complete all immunizations due to a valid reason must have and maintain a vaccination waiver on file with the College. Non-vaccinated students could be denied access to certain clinical sites due to not meeting the clinical requirements.

   In addition, non-vaccinated students should be considered susceptible to these specific diseases and should be counseled regarding precautions and prevention methods to reduce exposure. Students assume all risk and expenses associated with potential exposure during a clinical experience. This may include, but is not limited to, prophylaxis for potential exposure and/or testing of the patient in the event of exposure.

   Required Immunizations

   • Hepatitis B Vaccine
     Students must submit documented proof of the completed series of the hepatitis B vaccine or a titer showing immunity.
   • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
     Students must submit documented proof of the completed series of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine or a titer showing immunity.
   • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
     Students must submit documented proof of varicella immunity by providing documented serology evidence of immunity / titer showing immunity against varicella or laboratory confirmation of the disease. If serology results indicate the individual is not immune, varicella vaccination is required.
   • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
     Students must provide proof of one-time dose of Tdap and Td boosters every 10 years thereafter.
   • Seasonal Influenza
     Students must provide documented evidence of current influenza vaccine during each flu season (generally September-October).

   • Tuberculosis/Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
     Students are not permitted to practice in any clinical, laboratory, or classroom activities with active or suspected tuberculosis disease. All students are required to undergo initial and annual tuberculosis screening while enrolled in the nursing program.

     One of the following three (3) must be on file:

     • Negative tuberculin skin test (TST). Also known as PPD. (yearly).
     • Negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G) blood test (yearly).

     • Negative chest Xray (valid for five (5) years with a yearly completion of a DCN TB questionnaire by a licensed healthcare provider).

       A TB Skin Test must be read within 48-72 hours of administration.

       Students who demonstrate a positive TST, QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G), or positive pulmonary disease on a chest x-ray will not be permitted to participate in clinical experiences until new documentation is provided showing health clearance. This can be in the form of a retest TST showing negative results, negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold test, or student must complete a questionnaire, have a post treatment or negative chest x-ray documenting “no evidence of active pulmonary disease,” and be currently free of any symptoms.

       A repeat or annual chest x-ray is not required unless the questionnaire or symptoms suggest further evaluation. A negative chest x-ray result must be no older than five (5) years for health clearance and must document “no evidence of active pulmonary disease” by a licensed healthcare provider.

       In the event of a positive TST for those who have a history of vaccination of Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG), are required to provide documented evidence of a negative chest x-ray reporting “no evidence of active pulmonary disease.” Students with a history of BCG vaccination are not exempt from annual TB screening.

       Additional Immunizations

       The College has identified a standard immunization policy but reserves the right to require any additional healthcare clearance assessment, documentation, immunization, titer, and/or serology testing at any point throughout the enrollment of the nursing program. In addition, immunizations and health requirements may change without notice and students may be required to provide verifiable documentation of their ability to meet new requirements. Students are required to provide documentation within the designated timeframe to maintain enrollment and progress. All additional requirements are at the student’s expense.