It is essential that nursing students be able to perform a number of physical and cognitive activities in the classroom, clinical, and learning laboratory portions of the program.
Admissions staff will provide all new nursing students with information regarding the requirements for participating in the education program. All students are required to sign the acknowledgement of information regarding immunization requirements.
Students are responsible for all costs of program immunizations and medical clearance required for admission, clinical site compliance, and continuation within the nursing program. In addition, students are responsible for all costs that may be associated with injury or illness while on campus, in the learning laboratories, at a clinical experience, or while performing other campus/program related activities during enrollment in the nursing program.
As a part of contractual agreements with clinical agencies, all pre-licensure nursing students must fulfill specific requirements. Failure to submit all requirements may result in dismissal from the program.
The contracted clinical agency agreements are not negotiable in their requirements. Students who do not have documentation that evidences acceptable immunization, BLS, and health clearance may not be accepted at a clinical site. The various clinical sites may have additional requirements that students must meet prior to being accepted into their clinical experiences.
It is the student’s responsibility to have all required documentation up-to-date and on record at DCN prior to the start of each quarter term so that nothing expires during that term. If documentation is set to expire at any point during the quarter term, the student is required to update or renew that documentation before the start of that term. Any student with documentation set to expire during the term that is not renewed before the first day of that term cannot participate in any clinical activities and will be dropped from all enrolled courses for that term by the add/drop date. See the Student Handbook for additional information concerning clinical placements.
Additional information can be found in the section “Additional Admissions Requirements (Pre-Licensure Applicants).”
The following requirements must be met prior to clinical participation:
- Cleared background check; this may need to be repeated at the request of a clinical facility.
- Clear drug screen; this may need to be repeated at the request of a clinical facility.
- Completed DCN physical exam form.
- Proof of current immunizations or signed acknowledgement form.
- Proof of health insurance coverage or waiver.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certification. The College only accepts BLS Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
- OSHA and HIPAA training is required every quarter term where there is a clinical rotation. Information will be provided to the student by the clinical department.
- Additional requirements may be required by a clinical site. Any additional requirements will be the student’s responsibility and at the expense of the student.
Health Clearance
Students must submit the approved physical and health clearance forms to the College prior to the start of their program and by designated deadlines if changes in health status, abilities, or injuries occur during their program progression. See “DCN Physical Exam Form” section for information.
Students are not to enter any clinical facility with contagious conditions or injuries. A student must consult with the clinical instructor if an illness, medical condition, or injury is present prior to entering the clinical facility. The College or clinical agency reserves the right to request a medical release from a healthcare provider if an identified condition, illness, and/or injury may cause a potential safety risk to the student, patient, or others. Additional healthcare clearance documentation may be required.
Examples of medical issues include, but are not limited to: limitations required after surgery or accident, immuno-suppression, pregnancy, back injury, behavioral health, etc.
Students may not enter or practice within a clinical area under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or any medication which may impair judgment, alertness, or physical agility regardless if prescribed by a healthcare provider. The clinical instructor in consultation with either the clinical program director or the Dean of Nursing will determine if the student may practice safely within the clinical environment. The clinical agency may be consulted as well but may choose not to allow the student to continue regardless of the College’s decision.
Note: Any changes in physical or mental health must be reported immediately to the clinical instructor and Dean of Nursing within 24 hours or before entering a clinical area (whichever comes first).
Note: Students with medical and/or mental health conditions which may place the student or patient’s safety at risk may not be eligible for admission or continuation in the nursing program. Risk assessment is at the discretion of the Dean of Nursing.
Immunizations
Proof of immunizations are mandatory for every nursing student and will be verified as complete prior to the student being permitted to enter any clinical site (whether for the assigned course activities or for orientation at the clinical site prior to the course start).
Students may choose to obtain immunizations from any licensed healthcare provider. However, immunization documentation must include specific information about the type of healthcare provider and detailed information about the immunizations administered and/or verified. Refer to the “Immunizations” section under “Additional Admissions Requirements (Pre-Licensure Applicants)” for mor information.
Health and Clinical Compliance
Failure to provide the required documentation as noted may result in suspension from the clinical portion of the program and possible program dismissal. No student will be permitted to enter a clinical site without having satisfied the requirements for documentation. Students unable to participate in scheduled clinical sessions will be recorded as unexcused absence and may potentially risk failure of the entire course.
Any exceptions or extenuating circumstances to these requirements must be submitted in writing and pre-approved by the Dean of Nursing prior to the deadline noted.